Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reached a ceasefire agreement in Aleppo, according to reports from state media. This development comes on the heels of escalating tensions that recently led to bombardments in the northern city.
On Monday, bombardments attributed to Kurdish forces resulted in the deaths of at least one member of Syria’s domestic security forces and a civilian. This violence has heightened the already fraught relationship between the Syrian government in Damascus and the semi-autonomous Kurdish administration governing parts of northern and northeastern Syria.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based monitoring group, reported that Syrian government forces utilized explosive drones to target neighborhoods in Aleppo that are predominantly Kurdish, specifically Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. The report indicated that these areas were cut off from communications and surrounded by reinforcements from the Syrian army.
Aleppo, which witnessed significant regime change following the ousting of former leader Bashar al-Assad in December, has since been under the control of various Islamist authorities. Despite this, the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh remain under the control of Kurdish units affiliated with the SDF, the de facto military wing of the Kurdish administration.
According to statements from the Syrian News Channel, a security official reported that during an SDF attack near Sheikh Maqsoud, one member of the domestic security forces was killed, and three others sustained injuries. Additionally, a Kurdish bombardment was cited as the cause of civilian casualties. Due to the intense fighting involving heavy machine-guns and mortars by the SDF, “dozens of families” have reportedly fled the affected neighborhoods.
Aleppo’s governor, Azzam al-Gharib, has urged residents to remain indoors and avoid areas experiencing conflict. State news agency SANA reported several civilians have been hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the violence.
The report of a ceasefire agreement between the two sides was released later on, though details surrounding the terms of the agreement were not specified. In response to the allegations of attacking government security forces, the SDF has denied these claims, instead accusing pro-Damascus factions of laying siege to the Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo and advancing with tanks.
In a show of solidarity, residents have reportedly taken up arms to assist the Asayish, the Kurdish internal security forces, in defending their communities.
