Syrian defense ministry rejects claims of military movements near SDF areas
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Ministry of Defense on Sunday denied reports circulating in various media outlets and social media platforms suggesting military movements by Syrian government forces toward areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
In an official statement, the ministry clarified that video footage shared online, which purportedly showed troop movements, was in fact from a routine training exercise conducted by the Syrian Arab Army south of Aleppo. The statement emphasized that these images were mistakenly presented as new military deployments.
“The scenes circulated on social media originate from a training exercise of the Syrian Arab Army south of Aleppo,” the ministry said, adding that reports from Al-Arabi TV and several other outlets on the matter were inaccurate and did not reflect the reality on the ground.
The Ministry of Defense also urged all media organizations to exercise caution and verify information before publishing statements or news related to official military activity. It reaffirmed that official communication channels remain open and accessible for accurate updates.
This clarification comes amid ongoing tensions and occasional escalations along frontlines between the government-held areas and regions under the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), which are secured primarily by the Kurdish-led SDF. The SDF continues to play a key role in maintaining regional security and counterterrorism efforts, often collaborating with international partners to stabilize northeast Syria.