Maskana

Maskana is a town located in the eastern Aleppo governorate of Syria. It has recently been at the center of conflict between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In January 2026, the Syrian army took control of Maskana, along with Deir Hafer and dozens of other towns and villages in the region, as part of an internationally-sponsored agreement that saw the SDF withdraw from the area. The Syrian army accused the SDF of deploying forces to the Deir Hafer front, prompting the army to send reinforcements to rural eastern Aleppo. Prior to the army's advance, civilians were urged to evacuate Maskana and Deir Hafer, with a 'humanitarian zone' established to facilitate their departure. The Syrian army is currently working to remove mines and other war remnants in the newly captured territories. The capture of Maskana signifies the Syrian government's continued efforts to regain control over territories previously held by Kurdish fighters.