Syrian government forces intensified their military operations on a predominantly Kurdish district in Aleppo on Friday, marking a significant escalation following a ceasefire that aimed to curb days of violent clashes. Tensions between government forces and Kurdish factions have surged since fighting reignited earlier in the week, with both sides trading accusations regarding the initiation of hostilities.
The ongoing violence has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 21 civilians, with thousands of residents fleeing the worst clashes in Aleppo since new Islamist authorities took control of the region. This conflict compounds the challenges facing Syria as it attempts to redefine its political landscape after the ousting of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad a year ago.
Early on Friday, Syrian authorities declared a truce with Kurdish forces allied with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stating that combatants and their light weaponry would be relocated to Kurdish-controlled areas further east. However, Kurdish militants strictly opposed what they termed “surrender,” insisting on their right to defend their district.
Following the breakdown of the truce, the Syrian army issued warnings to residents in the Sheikh Maqsud neighborhood, urging them to evacuate as renewed shelling targeted alleged military positions within the area. The defense ministry claimed military achievements, including the destruction of an ammunition depot, while an AFP correspondent reported that residents were seen fleeing with their belongings before a humanitarian corridor was closed.
As night fell, heavy artillery fire and gunfire echoed through the district. The army reported that three soldiers had suffered injuries from Kurdish attacks and announced plans to search for remaining fighters in Sheikh Maqsud as preparations began for the district’s transition to government control.
The situation has drawn swift international attention. Turkey’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler expressed support for the Syrian government’s military actions, framing them as a part of Turkey’s own security strategy against perceived terrorist threats. Despite previous agreements for Kurdish withdrawal from areas such as Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh, Kurdish units have maintained a presence, complicating efforts to stabilize the region.
Elham Ahmad, a senior Kurdish official, conveyed that Syria’s aggressive actions reflect a choice for war rather than peace and criticized the government’s failure to adhere to prior agreements aimed at political integration. She highlighted that the United States has been involved in mediating the ongoing dispute, urging for enhanced diplomatic pressure.
Meanwhile, a diplomatic source indicated that US envoy Tom Barrack was en route to Damascus to address the escalating tensions. In parallel, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has engaged in discussions with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to assert control over the illegal military presence in Aleppo, as Turkey continues its military campaign against Kurdish factions along its border.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized a need for a unified Syria that adequately represents and protects all societal groups, reiterating the importance of the March integration agreement. Nonetheless, past sectarian violence suggests that the government’s commitment to safeguarding minorities remains in question.
Analysts, including Nanar Hawach from the International Crisis Group, are concerned about the growing instability and the implications for the future of governance in a multi-ethnic Syria. Heightened clashes could increase international scrutiny regarding Damascus’s ability to manage its diverse population amidst ongoing conflict.
