News|Syria's WarSyrian army closes Aleppo’s Kurdish areas as clashes persistViolence, designation of ‘closed military zones’ and evacuations of civilians follow collapse of talks aimed at ending standoff over absorption of semiautonomous Kurdish forces by state institutions.
The Syrian army has designated the Kurdish areas in Aleppo as "closed military zones" and instructed civilians to evacuate. This directive comes amid ongoing clashes with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have persisted into a second day.
The Syrian army has designated the Kurdish areas in Aleppo as "closed military zones" and instructed civilians to evacuate. This directive comes amid ongoing clashes with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have persisted into a second day.
The Syrian Army Operations Command has announced that all SDF military sites in Aleppo neighborhoods are considered legitimate targets. This follows continued sporadic fighting between government forces and the Kurdish-led SDF, which escalated on Tuesday.
The clashes have resulted in nine casualties, marking the most intense fighting since an attempt to merge the U.S.-backed Kurdish administration with Syria's new government failed in March.
The Syrian army has declared that specific neighborhoods in Aleppo are now "closed military zones" from 3pm (12:00 GMT). To facilitate civilian evacuation, "humanitarian corridors" are being established.
The SDF has reported a significant deployment of Syrian army vehicles near the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods, indicating potential escalation. The Syrian army has urged civilians in these areas to avoid SDF positions.
The Syrian army has designated the Kurdish areas in Aleppo as "closed military zones" and instructed civilians to evacuate.
The state news agency SANA has stated that the Syrian Civil Defence Forces and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are assisting evacuees. Approximately 850 civilians have been evacuated from Aleppo by midday, amid worsening humanitarian conditions and SDF shelling.
A Syrian security source has reported that prisoners have escaped from al-Shafiq prison, managed by the SDF, to safer areas in Aleppo. The exact number of escapees has not been disclosed.
Both sides have accused each other of initiating the violence, which followed unsuccessful talks between government officials and the main SDF commander. The proposed merger of the SDF into state institutions remains unresolved since President Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed office a year ago.
The March agreement, which outlined the integration of "all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria" into the Syrian state, has not been implemented. This includes border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields.
Attempts by President al-Sharaa to consolidate power and reduce sectarian tensions have been complicated by ongoing Israeli military actions. Over the past year, Israel has conducted more than 600 air, drone, and artillery attacks across Syria, as per the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
