Clashes erupt in Aleppo between Syrian forces and SDF

WISE NEWS PRESS / ALEPPO, SYRIA

Syrian government forces have declared Kurdish-majority neighborhoods in Aleppo as "closed military zones" following two days of intense clashes with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), forcing thousands of civilians to flee.

The fighting, concentrated in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh districts, marks a significant escalation in tensions between Damascus and the Kurdish-led SDF. Syrian state media reports that at least three civilians were killed due to SDF shelling, while SDF officials accuse government forces of targeting residential areas with heavy artillery and rockets after a failed round of political negotiations.

Failure of the March 10 Agreement

The sudden surge in violence follows the collapse of high-level talks held on January 4, aimed at implementing the "March 10 Agreement." The accord, signed in 2025 between the Syrian transition government and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, sought to integrate SDF forces, airports, and oil fields into the Syrian state. However, profound disagreements regarding the mechanism of military integration and the administrative status of northeastern Syria have left the deal stalled, eventually shifting the dialogue from the table to the battlefield.

Ethnic Cleansing Concerns and Regional Reactions

The escalation has drawn sharp criticism from regional leaders and political parties. Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), warned of a "serious threat" to civilian safety and the risk of "ethnic cleansing" against Kurds in Aleppo. In Turkey, the DEM Party released a statement condemning the Damascus government and alleged that Turkish-backed armed groups were participating in the offensive. While Ankara had recently softened its stance toward the Damascus-SDF integration deal, the current violence threatens to destabilize the fragile security balance in northern Syria.

Military Buildup and Humanitarian Impact

The Syrian Ministry of Defense confirmed that its positions near Sheikh Maqsoud were targeted, resulting in the death of one soldier and several injuries. Heavy military reinforcements, including tanks and heavy weaponry, have been dispatched to Aleppo as the army prepares to "restore security" in the disputed neighborhoods. Activists on the ground report that approximately 600,000 residents are caught in the crossfire, with the Syrian army providing only a few hours for civilians to evacuate before intensifying its bombardment.

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