Syria’s civilians flee Kurdish-controlled area ahead of army deadline

On Thursday, Syria’s civilians began fleeing Deir Hafer town in eastern Aleppo province, after the Syrian army gave civilians a deadline to leave amid fears of an escalation in clashes with Kurdish forces. The Syrian government troops took full control of Aleppo city over the weekend after capturing two Kurdish-majority neighborhoods on Sunday.

It reached a deal in March to fold a Kurdish controlled administration in the north into the state, but progress on its implementation has stalled. The area targeted extends from near Deir Haferto the Euphrates River as well as towards the south.