- U.S. Air Force F-15 jets were spotted flying low over eastern Aleppo as Syrian government forces entered Deir Hafer and Maskana following the SDF withdrawal.
- The flights occurred during a Syrian army advance under an internationally backed agreement as Kurdish forces redeployed east of the Euphrates River.
United States Air Force F-15 fighter jets were spotted flying at low altitude over the eastern Aleppo countryside in northern Syria as Syrian government forces moved into the towns of Deir Hafer and Maskana following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) units from the area.
The flights were observed as Syrian army units entered territory east of Aleppo city, marking a new phase in the redeployment of forces after an internationally sponsored agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF.
Syrian troops were seen moving into Deir Hafer, a town located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Aleppo, shortly after Kurdish-led forces began pulling back.
The developments follow a public announcement by the SDF on Friday that it would redeploy its forces east of the Euphrates River. The decision came after talks with U.S. officials and political steps by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa aimed at easing tensions, including a pledge to recognize Kurdish as a national language.
In a statement to the state-run Sana news agency, the Syrian army said its forces “began entering the western Euphrates area” and declared that it had established “full military control” over Deir Hafer. The military also urged civilians to stay out of the area until it is secured and “cleared of all mines and war remnants.”
The presence of U.S. F-15 fighter jets over the region coincided with the movement of Syrian ground forces, highlighting continued U.S. air activity in northern Syria during a sensitive transition period. The U.S. military has not issued a public statement on the specific flights, but U.S. aircraft regularly operate in Syrian airspace as part of ongoing security missions, including monitoring force movements and deterring escalation.
F-15 fighter jets are among the U.S. Air Force’s primary air superiority platforms and are often used for presence patrols and rapid response missions in contested airspace. Low-altitude flights are typically associated with visible deterrence, reconnaissance support, or close monitoring of ground developments.
The redeployment of the SDF follows a week of deadly clashes between Kurdish forces and Syrian government-aligned units, prompting U.S. calls for restraint. Washington urged both sides to avoid confrontation and to maintain stability as negotiations continued over the future status of Kurdish-controlled areas.
President al-Sharaa has publicly stated his intention to integrate Kurdish military and civilian institutions into Syrian national structures, a move aimed at reducing the risk of further internal conflict. The withdrawal of SDF forces from areas east of Aleppo represents the first tangible step in that process, allowing Syrian government troops to reassert control over towns that had remained outside direct state authority for years.
Deir Hafer and Maskana sit along key routes linking Aleppo to central and eastern Syria, giving the Syrian army control over important lines of communication and logistics. The entry of government forces into these towns expands Damascus’s presence in the region and reduces the territory previously administered by the SDF west of the Euphrates.
The U.S. military maintains forces and aircraft in Syria as part of ongoing counterterrorism and regional stability missions, primarily focused on preventing the resurgence of Islamic State cells and supporting partner forces. American aircraft frequently operate near areas where control is shifting to ensure situational awareness and to reduce the risk of unintended clashes involving U.S. personnel or partners.
While the Syrian government has declared full control over Deir Hafer, the situation on the ground remains fluid as demining and security operations continue. Syrian authorities have warned civilians not to return until military engineers complete clearance of explosive remnants left behind from years of fighting.