ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Syrian government forces withdrew from several strategic areas in Aleppo and Idlib provinces on Saturday, according to multiple reports, following intense clashes with opposition forces and other armed groups.

In a statement on Saturday, the Syrian Army’s General Command described the withdrawal as a “redeployment” off its forces, saying it is a “temporary measure” designed to strengthen defensive lines and prepare for a counteroffensive.

It accused “terrorist organizations” affiliated with Jabhat al-Nusra - a jihadist group fighting against the Syrian regime - of launching a large-scale assault on government positions with support from foreign fighters, heavy weaponry, and drones.

“The large number of terrorists and the multiplicity of battlefronts compelled our forces to undertake a redeployment aimed at protecting civilians and soldiers,” the statement read. It emphasized that government forces would work to restore control over lost areas and ensure the safety of residents in Aleppo.

The Syrian military reportedly retreated from Kafranbel in southern Idlib and the Shahba area in northern Aleppo countryside. The withdrawal also extended to parts of Saraqib after fierce battles with armed forces, which claimed significant progress in this recent campaign, codenamed “Deter Aggression.” The opposition groups further announced seizing control of Ma’arat al-Nu’man and Wadi al-Deif, which were under the regime’s control.

In Aleppo, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reportedly entered and took control of Aleppo International Airport after reaching an agreement with the Syrian government. Additional reports indicate that SDF-affiliated forces now hold positions in other strategic locations, including the city’s industrial zone, Kuweires military airport, and neighborhoods in eastern Aleppo, such as Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud.

Meanwhile, media reports from the region suggest the SDF, has bolstered its forces with reinforcements from Raqqa, Manbij, Hasakah, and Ayn al-Arab. Observers say this shift in dynamics highlights the increasingly complex alliances and rivalries shaping the conflict.

The army’s withdrawal came amid a broader escalation of fighting in northern Syria. Local media sources reported continued clashes near Ma’arat al-Nu’man and Saraqib, with armed groups pushing southward and gaining ground.