The Syrian army is advancing east of Aleppo city as Kurdish forces begin to withdraw. Troops were seen moving into Deir Hafer, located about 50km (30 miles) from Aleppo. On Friday, the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said they would redeploy east of the Euphrates River following discussions with US officials. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa also promised to make Kurdish a national language and recognize the Kurdish new year as an official holiday. The Syrian army said it has "begun entering the western Euphrates area" and declared "full military control" of Deir Hafer, urging people to avoid the zone until it is cleared of mines. Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi agreed to the pullback, responding to requests from "friendly countries and mediators." He is set to meet US envoy Tom Barrack in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. The army reported at least two soldiers killed by Kurdish forces during the move and accused the SDF of breaching the agreement. Before withdrawing, at least 4,000 civilians left Deir Hafer amid warnings. President al-Sharaa called Kurds "an essential and integral part" of Syria and promised long-denied rights. The Kurdish administration called the new decree "a first step" but urged for permanent constitutional recognition. Kurdish forces have controlled large parts of Syria’s oil-rich north and northeast, gained during the civil war and fight against ISIS. Since Bashar al-Assad’s fall in late 2024, al-Sharaa has sought to integrate Kurdish military and civilian groups into national institutions. A 2025 deal between the SDF and Syrian government remains unimplemented amid ongoing tensions.