For the soldiers of a Syrian Army patrol, Saturday was meant to be a day of orderly transition; instead, it became a lethal reminder of the fragility of the peace brokered last spring. As the Syrian Army pushes to secure the region west of the Euphrates, the clashes in Maskanah and Deir Hafer suggest that the “goodwill” withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is fraying. Restoring Order Amidst DisplacementIn the streets of Deir Hafer, the transition is already visible. The Syrian Army has issued urgent warnings for civilians to avoid “operation zones” until mine-clearing teams can neutralise war remnants. As the Syrian Army continues its march toward the town of Dibsi Afnan, the spirit of the March 10 agreement appears thinner than ever.

Source: Daily News Egypt January 17, 2026 15:11 UTC