A significant escalation in hostilities between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo has plunged the region into a severe humanitarian crisis, marking the deadliest confrontation since a stalled integration agreement in March 2025. The intense fighting, which began on January 6, has resulted in mass displacement, military mobilization, and a rising civilian casualty toll.
New Update
Heavy fighting has engulfed the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood (Şêxmeqsûd) and Ashrafiyeh (Eşrefiyê) for a third consecutive day, as local security forces battle to hold off an offensive by armed opposition groups.
According to reports from the pro-Kurdish Fırat News Agency (ANF), the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), supported by armed residents, are engaged in fierce combat to repel infiltration attempts by factions affiliated with the Syrian National Army (SNA) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The violence is currently concentrated around the perimeter of the districts, specifically in the Kastîlo, Süryani, and Benî Zêd sectors.
Field reports indicate that attacking forces launched a fresh attempt to breach the neighborhoods in the early hours of the morning but were pushed back by defending units. Following the failed ground advance, the attacking groups reportedly resorted to the indiscriminate shelling of residential areas using tanks, howitzers, and heavy artillery.
Despite the intensity of the bombardment, the Internal Security Forces claim to have inflicted significant material losses on the opposing side. ANF reports state that the defending forces have destroyed two tanks and five military vehicles while shooting down seven drones during the skirmishes.
Amid the escalating violence, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Commander Mazlum Abdi issued a statement addressing the crisis. Abdi emphasized that the SDF is making "intensive efforts" to halt the attacks, declaring that the protection of civilians in Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh remains their top priority. The commander underscored the force's commitment to defending the population against the ongoing offensive.
While the battle rages on the perimeter, a critical situation is developing for civilians trapped inside. Dr. Şêx Îsa of the Şehit Xalid Fecir Hospital has issued an urgent distress call, warning that the medical facility is facing imminent collapse.
The hospital is grappling with a severe lack of medicine and fuel to run essential generators. Dr. Îsa described the situation as an "insane humanitarian crisis," noting that wounded civilians are currently lying in the streets, unreachable by emergency teams due to the heavy shelling. He warned that without immediate supply drops, the hospital risks going out of service, potentially leading to a "massacre."
The siege in Aleppo has triggered a wave of solidarity across the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava). Residents in the Cizir canton and surrounding regions—including Kurds, Arabs, and Syriacs—have organized protests and issued public statements. The demonstrators expressed a unified stance, declaring that the people of Aleppo are not alone in their resistance against the attacks.
Siege and Shelling Intensify in Aleppo: 8 Dead, 57 Injured
According to the pro-Kurdish Fırat News Agency, attacks on the Şêx Maqsud and Eşrefiye neighborhoods in Aleppo have entered their third consecutive day, resulting in a rising civilian toll. The Internal Security Forces report that 8 civilians have been killed and 57 injured due to heavy artillery, rocket fire, and drone strikes carried out by groups affiliated with the Damascus government.
Unable to break the defense lines, the attacking groups have resorted to "collective punishment" tactics. Authorities report that electricity has been cut off, and the entry of essential food and medical supplies has been blocked. The Internal Security Forces have condemned the campaign as a violation of the "April 1st Agreement" and international humanitarian law, accusing the aggressors of using starvation and random shelling to subjugate the local population.
Older Developments
In a significant new diplomatic development, Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense (MSB) has explicitly backed the Syrian government’s actions. Citing an SDF attack that reportedly killed four people, the MSB described the Syrian Army's offensive as a necessary counter-terrorism operation to restore public order.
According to the Turkish T24 news site, emphasizing a "One State, One Army" policy regarding Syria’s territorial integrity, the Turkish Ministry declared, "Syria’s security is our security." Most notably, Ankara signaled a readiness for direct cooperation, stating that if the Syrian government requests assistance in its fight against the SDF, Turkey is prepared to provide the necessary support. This marks a potential pivotal shift in the conflict, with Turkey aligning its security interests closely with the stability of the central government in Damascus.
Hawar News Agency, a pro-Kurdish source, presented in Thursday an interesting narrative. It reports that the Internal Security Forces, which are part of the SDF, have been defending the Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiya, and Bani Zaid neighborhoods from a large-scale attack by what it terms "mercenaries of the interim government." These attacks are said to have been ongoing for 72 hours, involving heavy weaponry such as howitzers, mortars, drones, and tanks.
Hawar News claims that the Internal Security Forces successfully repelled an attack, destroying four military vehicles and inflicting casualties on the attackers.
Another report details a successful ambush against the attacking forces, resulting in further casualties and the destruction of a vehicle.
The agency also reports a rising civilian death toll, with 9 killed and 63 injured due to the shelling.
Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) has released a statement condemning the attacks, framing them as an attempt at ethnic cleansing of the Kurdish population in Aleppo and a deliberate effort to provoke conflict between Arabs and Kurds. The KCK calls for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations, urging all parties to work towards implementing the March 10 agreement.
Older Developments
Timeline of Major Events
January 6, 2026 – Initial Clashes
Fighting erupted near the Alleramoon roundabout on Aleppo's western outskirts, quickly spreading to the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh. Initial reports indicated at least 9 fatalities, including 4-9 civilian deaths and one defense ministry member, with 26-32 wounded. Both sides engaged with mortars, snipers, tanks, and drones, each accusing the other of initiating the violence.
January 7, 2026 – Escalation and Mass Evacuation
The situation dramatically escalated when the Syrian military declared Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh
neighborhoods as "closed military zones" effective 3:00 PM (12:00 GMT). Two humanitarian corridors were opened for civilian evacuation, triggering a massive displacement wave. Between 30,000 and 46,000 people evacuated from Aleppo province, with over 2,000 families fleeing to Afrin district and approximately 1,100 seeking shelter in nine collective centers and mosques.
Infrastructure across the city was severely impacted, with schools, universities, and government offices closing, and Aleppo International Airport suspending flights through at least January 8.
Military Operations and Casualties
Following the 3:00 PM deadline on January 7, intense bombardment commenced. Over 80 tanks and heavy military vehicles were deployed, surrounding the two neighborhoods. Heavy artillery, drone strikes, and sniper fire targeted populated areas. The Syrian army declared all SDF military positions "legitimate military targets," while SDF forces claimed to have repelled initial tank incursions and mounted "fierce resistance."
By the evening of January 7, the casualty toll had risen to at least 12 killed across the two days: 7 civilians in SDF-controlled areas (Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh) and 5 civilians in government-controlled areas. At least 27-52 wounded were reported. SDF sources indicated that these figures were "non-final" and expected to rise.
Strategic Context: The Failed March 2025 Agreement
The current violence is set against the backdrop of a major stalled integration agreement signed on March 10, 2025, by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi. The agreement included eight key provisions:
• Recognition of Kurdish rights and citizenship
• Nationwide ceasefire across all Syrian territories
• Integration of all SDF civil and military institutions into the Syrian state
• Transfer of control over border crossings, Qamishli airport, and oil/gas fields to Damascus
• Return and protection of internally displaced persons
• Shared commitment to combating terrorism
• Rejection of partition and sectarian division
• Implementation by the end of 2025 (deadline now passed)
The implementation of this agreement failed due to fundamental disagreements on the integration mechanism. The SDF sought to maintain its military structure as a unified bloc within Syria's defense ministry, while the Syrian government, backed by Turkey, insisted on integrating SDF fighters individually or in smaller brigades, effectively dissolving the Kurdish force's command structure. Internal SDF divisions also contributed to the stalemate.
Disputed Accusations and Blame
Syrian Government Claims:
The Syrian government alleges that SDF forces attacked government-held neighborhoods with mortars, sniper fire, and drones. They claim recent attacks killed "more than 20 civilians and wounded more than 150" over recent months, in addition to "more than 25 soldiers." The government asserts its military operation is "limited" and defensive, aimed at preventing armed activity in residential areas, and that the SDF violated the March agreement over 100 times.
SDF Counter-Claims:
The SDF, including statements from the Fırat News Agency and the Internal Security Forces Press Center, counters that government forces launched the offensive using tanks, heavy artillery, Grad rockets, and drones, placing neighborhoods under a "suffocating and complete siege." They claim their security forces possess only light weapons and have no military presence in the areas, a claim contradicted by the government's assertion of Kurdish units' presence. The SDF describes the attacks as "indiscriminate shelling" violating international humanitarian law and accuses the government of attempting "ethnic cleansing" and forced displacement.
Furthermore, the SDF General Command (QSD) stated that the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh have been under complete siege by groups affiliated with the Damascus government for over six months. They emphasize that these neighborhoods pose no military threat and cannot be the source of attacks on Aleppo. The QSD denies any military intentions or activities in these areas, asserting that such claims are baseless excuses to justify the embargo, attacks, and massacres against civilians. The QSD also confirmed its withdrawal from Aleppo under a documented agreement, handing over security to the Internal Security Forces.
International Response
United Nations: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for immediate de-escalation and a return to political negotiations, urging all parties to exercise "maximum restraint" and prevent further civilian harm. A UN spokesperson expressed concerns about the humanitarian impact.
United States Mediation: The US has maintained an active mediating role. US envoy Tom Barrack and CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper met with SDF leadership as recently as January 5, though these discussions yielded no "tangible progress." Reuters reported ongoing US mediation efforts, with Kurdish official Ilham Ahmed confirming international pressure for de-escalation.
Turkey: The Turkish government has not issued an immediate official statement on the clashes. However, Turkey's pro-Kurdish opposition party (DEM) called for an end to assaults on Kurdish neighborhoods, asserting that the attacks violated the March agreement and urging international intervention.
Humanitarian Crisis Details
Residents in the affected areas report "harsh conditions," including shortages of food and drinking water, and widespread power outages. Families are fleeing with minimal belongings, uncertain of their return. The Syrian Civil Defense has transported vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and sick, via city buses. One resident told AFP, "Fourteen years of war, I think that's enough."
Significant material damage has been reported in Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, and surrounding government-controlled neighborhoods, including Midan, Nile, and other residential areas, due to indiscriminate shelling.
Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria Statement
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria also condemned the attacks on Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, and Bani Zayd neighborhoods by groups affiliated with the Syrian interim government and the Turkish state. They expressed "concern and shame" over statements from the Syrian interim government's military forces defining Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh as "legitimate military targets" and deemed calls for "humanitarian corridors" to evacuate these neighborhoods unacceptable.
The Autonomous Administration reiterated that no QSD forces are present in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, emphasizing that these are civilian residential areas predominantly inhabited by Kurds, including many forcibly displaced from Afrin. They stressed that any military attack, artillery fire, or targeting of these neighborhoods constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law and a continuation of hostile policies against the Syrian people.
Deepening Instability and Call for Dialogue
The Autonomous Administration warned that attacks on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, alongside violations in other Syrian regions, do not serve the country's stability but rather deepen security problems and escalate conflicts, moving Syria further away from national reconciliation, political solutions, and unity. They noted that despite their adherence to the April 1 agreement, the opposing side has failed to uphold its terms, insisting on a policy of siege and military escalation. They stated that the interim government's Ministry of Defense has rejected all initiatives for dialogue and negotiation, persisting in a language of threat and war.
Emphasizing their opposition to any military escalation, the Autonomous Administration highlighted that the people always bear the cost of war, which has brought only destruction, suffering, and despair to the Syrian people for years. They urged the Syrian interim government to assume its moral and national responsibilities, return to reason and dialogue, and adopt dialogue as the only way to resolve disputes. They also called on all Syrians, especially the youth, to reject the logic of war and violence and uphold the values of coexistence and brotherhood among all components of Syrian society.
Photo: ANF and Al Jazeera