The Syrian army has continued to send military reinforcements towards Deir Hafir in eastern Aleppo, amid a sharp escalation on the ground that has intensified over recent days.

According to SANA on January 14, Syrian forces are deploying additional units from Latakia towards the Deir Hafir front east of Aleppo.

The Syrian government has earlier declared areas west of the Euphrates River controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as a military zone.

A military source said that reinforcements were still arriving in the area, describing Deir Hafir as “a launch point for several suicide drones that have targeted Aleppo in recent weeks.”

The source added that the government aims to reassert control over Deir Hafir and its surroundings, including the city of Maskanah, and to push the SDF east of the Euphrates River.

State broadcaster Syrian TV reported that the SDF shelled Syrian army positions and civilian homes near the village of Humaymah east of Aleppo using heavy machine guns and drones, prompting retaliatory fire by government forces. The channel also said the army thwarted an attempt by the SDF on Tuesday to rig and blow up a bridge linking the villages of Rasm al-Imam and Rasm al-Karoum near Deir Hafir.

The SDF, meanwhile, accused what it described as “Damascus government factions” of targeting infrastructure in Deir Hafir, including the local post office, with artillery and explosive drones, saying no casualties were reported.

The SDF-linked Hawar agency also reported a drone strike near the Tishreen Dam, alleging it was carried out by government forces.

Local authorities in the Safira area east of Aleppo announced the closure of roads leading to Maskanah and nearby areas “for security reasons”, amid warnings of possible military action along the Deir Hafir axis.

A source familiar with the situation told BNE Intellinews,”unless an agreement is reached between the SDF and Damascus, a government offensive on the SDF-held Deir Hafir pocket west of the Euphrates both sides are massing forces along the frontlines, with multiple Syrian army divisions and specialised sniper, drone and artillery units reportedly arriving in the area, while the SDF has moved forward armoured vehicles, artillery and thousands of fighters.”

According to sources involved in talks between Damascus and the SDF, the Syrian government has floated a proposal to integrate the SDF into the army as three territorial divisions, allowing Kurdish forces to manage local security, alongside possible amendments to constitutional arrangements to guarantee cultural rights. Analysts say a deal could avert further bloodshed, while the absence of an agreement risks a wider and more destructive confrontation in eastern Aleppo.