The Conflict and Casualties
The clashes, which began on January 6, represent some of the most intense fighting since the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The conflict erupted in the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid, resulting in significant casualties. The Aleppo Health Directorate confirmed at least 23 fatalities and 104 injuries, though some reports suggest higher numbers.
The violence centered around the breakdown of a March 2025 agreement designed to integrate the SDF into the Syrian national army. With the deadline passing at the end of 2025, negotiations stalled as Kurdish fighters refused to vacate areas they have controlled since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
Evacuation and Displacement
The military operations triggered a massive humanitarian crisis. According to UN relief assessments, approximately 148,000 to 180,000 individuals have been displaced from the affected neighborhoods. Civilians were urged to evacuate through humanitarian corridors, with the majority fleeing to the Afrin district and other host communities. The UN reported that over 14 collective shelters in Aleppo City were housing more than 2,500 displaced individuals, with additional hundreds of thousands accommodated in the Afrin District.
Syrian government forces evacuated more than 400 Kurdish fighters from Sheikh Maqsoud to the SDF's de facto autonomous zone in northeastern Syria, while an interior ministry official confirmed that 300 other Kurds, including members of the security forces, were detained.
Infrastructure and Humanitarian Impact
The fighting has caused severe damage to critical civilian infrastructure. The Al-Shahid Khalid Fajr Hospital in Sheikh Maqsood was repeatedly struck by government drone strikes and artillery, forcing it out of service and creating dire conditions for medical care. The Babiri water station in eastern Aleppo countryside suspended operations, posing the risk of a water crisis affecting 3 million residents should the station remain inactive for more than 24 hours.
Multiple government and health facilities sustained damage during the clashes, with four hospitals reported as damaged or non-operational. A curfew remains in effect in affected areas, and public services have been suspended. The Ministry of Education announced a suspension of school activities for an additional 15 days.
The Ceasefire Agreement
The ceasefire agreement, facilitated by international mediators, included provisions for the evacuation of both civilians and fighters. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi stated that the agreement reached a consensus on ceasefire arrangements and safe passage of the wounded, stranded civilians, and remaining fighters to northern and eastern Syria.
Despite the ceasefire declaration, the situation remains fluid with both sides accusing each other of violations. The Syrian government maintains that some SDF factions continue to resist, while Kurdish sources have rejected claims of Syrian army victory, describing official statements as part of a "systematic misinformation campaign."
Broader Context
This conflict highlights significant challenges facing Syria's transitional government as it attempts to unify the nation following al-Assad's departure. The failure to integrate the SDF into national security structures represents one of the most pressing governance issues for the new administration. The United States, which supports the SDF as its primary local ally against terrorist organizations in Syria, has attempted mediation but recent discussions have concluded without concrete outcomes.