In early February 2025, armed forces under the new Syrian administration led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa entered the city of Afrin. This city in northern Syria had been under the control of Turkey and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) since 2018 as part of Operation Olive Branch.

Video footage released by Syrian state media showed a large mechanized column of the Syrian army moving towards Afrin. Experts believe that the deployment of General Command units indicates official Damascus' desire to regain control over the entire territory of the country.

Since 2018, Afrin's security has been provided by the pro-Turkish SNA formations under the patronage of Ankara. However, after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime and the rise to power of Ahmed al-Sharaa in December 2024, the situation changed. The new Syrian army, created on the basis of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (recognized as terrorist and banned in Russia - Avia.pro note), has strengthened its presence in the north of the country, including areas previously considered to be zones of Turkish influence.

The transfer of control of Afrin from the SNA to the new Syrian administration took place under coordination between Turkey and the government of Ahmed al-Sharaa, indicating complex diplomatic maneuvering and a possible reconsideration of relations between Ankara and Damascus.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, took over the presidency of Syria after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. On January 29, 2025, he was officially declared the transitional president. In his first statements in office, al-Sharaa stressed the need to restore Syria's territorial integrity and strengthen state institutions.

Turkey's Operation Olive Branch, launched in January 2018, was aimed at driving Kurdish militias out of the Afrin region and creating a buffer zone on the border with Syria. The region has been under pro-Turkish control since then, and its return to Damascus control could change the balance of power in the region.