News|Syria's WarSyrian army ramps up Aleppo strikes against Kurdish fightersThe Syrian army is combing through the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood of Aleppo as fighting intensifies, and more than 160,000 people are displaced.
The Syrian army is engaged in intense conflict in Aleppo following the refusal of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to adhere to a ceasefire. This has resulted in significant civilian displacement with 162,000 people fleeing the Ashrafieh and…
The Syrian army is engaged in intense conflict in Aleppo following the refusal of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to adhere to a ceasefire. This has resulted in significant civilian displacement with 162,000 people fleeing the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods, as reported by Aleppo’s emergency chief Mohammed al-Rajab.
A Syrian military source indicated progress in the Sheikh Maqsoud area, with the army now controlling 55% of the region. The state-run SANA news agency reported the arrest of several SDF members following the expiration of a ceasefire deadline imposed by the Syrian army.
The Syrian Ministry of Defence declared a ceasefire after three days of clashes, which followed unsuccessful negotiations to integrate the SDF into the state apparatus. Despite offering a six-hour withdrawal window for Kurdish fighters to their semi-autonomous region, resistance continued. Kurdish councils in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh rejected the withdrawal, pledging to defend their areas.
The army warned of renewed strikes on Sheikh Maqsoud, urging residents to evacuate through a humanitarian corridor. Reports from the SDF accused government-affiliated factions of targeting Khaled Fajr Hospital, while the Syrian government claimed it was a weapons depot.
The Syrian army is engaged in intense conflict in Aleppo following the refusal of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to adhere to a ceasefire.
At least 22 fatalities and 173 injuries have been reported since the outbreak of violence. The Syrian civil defense director noted that 159,000 individuals have been displaced in Aleppo.
The conflict highlights ongoing tensions between the SDF and the Syrian government over integration efforts. An agreement to integrate the SDF into the Syrian Defence Ministry by the end of 2025 remains largely unfulfilled, with control of certain neighborhoods still under Kurdish units linked to the SDF.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently discussed the situation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkiye views the SDF as linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and has expressed support for Syria’s actions against perceived terrorist organizations.
The United Nations and various international bodies have expressed concern over the violence. UN Secretary-General's spokesperson called for renewed negotiations, while France, in collaboration with the United States, seeks to de-escalate the situation, advocating for a unified and inclusive Syria.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
