Mohammad Sio
23 January 2026•Update: 23 January 2026
ISTANBUL
Syria’s Health Ministry on Friday announced the end of a health emergency in Aleppo, Deir Ezzor and Raqqa in north and northeast of the country, saying authorities have begun transitioning to a recovery phase.
The announcement comes as the Syrian Army managed over the past few days to take control over the eastern Aleppo countryside along with the Deir Ezzor and Raqqa governorates after clashes with the terrorist organization YPG/SDF.
A ministry statement said efforts in the next stage will focus on restoring and sustaining essential health services, particularly primary health care, national vaccination programs, maternal and child health, and care for the elderly.
As part of the immediate response, the Emergency Operations Center carried out field visits to Aleppo, Deir Ezzor and Raqqa, as well as the town of Deir Hafer, to assess current health conditions, support frontline medical staff and strengthen coordination with local health directorates, the statement added.
The aim, according to the ministry, is to ensure a smooth transition from emergency response to sustainable recovery.
The ministry added that heightened health surveillance will continue across the regions, with particular attention to Hasakah, Qamishli and Ain al-Arab, to allow for a rapid response to any emerging health developments.
The developments came after the Syrian presidency said on Tuesday that a “mutual understanding” has been reached with the SDF regarding the future of the Hasakah province.
The Defense Ministry also announced a four-day ceasefire with the SDF on Tuesday. However, the SDF launched a series of attacks on Syrian positions on the first day of the truce, killing 11 soldiers and injuring 25 others.
