Amed Dicle
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has reported that control of the Aleppo International Airport and nearby strategic areas has shifted to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and People’s Protection Units (YPG). Following the withdrawal of the Syrian regime’s army and its Fourth Division, Kurdish forces have moved swiftly to fill the security vacuum, establishing dominance over critical points in and around Aleppo.
In the wake of attacks on Aleppo by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army (SNA), Kurdish forces have responded in kind during clashes. The defensive and offensive strategies of the SDF, YPG, and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) have allowed them to secure vital locations, including the airport, Tel Aran, Tel Hasel, and Maskanah. Their reach has expanded to areas such as Tel Haffer and surrounding villages in Aleppo’s eastern countryside.
According to SOHR, Kurdish forces have also taken control of checkpoints connecting Aleppo city to the Shahba region, as well as strategic positions in Aleppo’s Ashrafiyah district. This marks a significant shift in territorial control.
Turkey’s calculations
Turkey will likely view the evolving situation in Aleppo as an opportunity to encircle the Kurds. However, Kurdish forces seem well-prepared for such eventualities. Field reports suggest that the SDF has opened corridors to strengthen inter-regional connections, bolstering Aleppo’s defence lines. While these developments increase Kurdish influence in the region, they may also escalate new threats and attacks.
Russia’s role: Questions and speculations
A day before the Syrian regime’s withdrawal from Aleppo, Bashar al-Assad reportedly met Vladimir Putin in Moscow. This raises the question: Is Russia stepping back from Syria? Speculations abound—was Putin’s meeting with Assad an opportunity to convey this decision?
If Russia is indeed scaling down its presence in Syria, it could be due to:
1. A focus on the Ukraine front, or
2. A strategic move to weaken Iran’s foothold in Syria, possibly in coordination with Israel.
Additionally, rumours suggest that Israel and the United States may have supported—or at least facilitated—this shift to undermine Iran and Assad. If true, this hints at a tacit or overt understanding between Turkey and Israel over Syria.
The road ahead for the Kurds
The unfolding events present Kurdish forces with opportunities to consolidate autonomy while exposing them to increased threats of Turkish attacks on Tel Rifat and other Kurdish areas. The struggle in Aleppo may well be the beginning of a new phase, reshaping the region’s power dynamics.
Amed Dicle was born and raised in Diyarbakır, Turkey. He has worked for Kurdish-language media outlets in Europe, including Roj TV, Sterk TV and ANF. His career has taken him to Rojava, Syria, Iraq and many other countries across Europe. Follow him on Twitter.
