Syrian civil war During the
Syrian civil war, in June 2012, the
Free Syrian Army was reported to be in control of the town. The town came under the control of the
Islamic State in early 2014, before being retaken by
Syrian Government forces during the
Dayr Hafir offensive in 2017.
Post-Assad era On 30 November 2024, the
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) took control of the town amidst the
attack on Aleppo and the subsequent withdrawal of pro-
Assad forces. The SDF defended the town against attacks by the
Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and its affiliated militias during
Operation Dawn of Freedom and the
East Aleppo offensive. After the
March 10 Agreement, clashes around Dayr Hafir ceased for a few months. In August 2025 forces of the
Syrian transitional government, and the SDF exchanged
artillery fire in small skirmishes near the town. In January 2026, clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian government forces led to government control of the
Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in Aleppo, prompting civilian displacement. The Syrian Army accused the SDF of drone attacks and disrupting water supplies, which the SDF denied. On 13 January, the
Syrian Ministry of Defense launched an
offensive, declaring Dayr Hafir and
Maskanah a military zone and ordering SDF elements to withdraw east of the
Euphrates. On 16 January, as part of international efforts to calm the situation after heavy fighting around Aleppo, U.S. military convoy accompanied by SDF leaders toured the contested area around Dayr Hafir and eastern Aleppo, signaling continued U.S. involvement alongside Kurdish‑led forces in monitoring and stabilizing front‑line zones. The SDF withdrew on 17 January, relocating east of the river. ==References==