In the fluctuating landscape of Syrian conflict, renewed clashes in Aleppo highlight the enduring complexity of the nation’s internal struggles. As military operations intensify following a failed ceasefire, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence, urging the need for a concerted diplomatic effort to restore peace and security. This situation not only underscores the persistent strain in relations between the Syrian government and Kurdish factions but also reflects broader regional dynamics that influence the humanitarian outlook in the area.
The Syrian army has initiated new strikes on Kurdish-held areas in Aleppo, escalating violence as Kurdish fighters declined to withdraw under a temporary ceasefire agreement. The Operations Command of the Syrian Arab Army officially launched military actions in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood after a deadline for Kurdish withdrawal expired on Friday evening.
Syria’s Ministry of Defence had announced the ceasefire earlier that day, following three days of intense clashes triggered by the failure of the central government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to reach an agreement for the latter’s integration into the state framework. After some of the most severe fighting seen since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad, Damascus offered Kurdish fighters a six-hour window to retreat to their semi-autonomous region in northeast Syria, aiming to regain control over parts of Aleppo.
However, local Kurdish councils managing the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh districts rejected any notion of “surrender,” declaring their intention to protect the areas they have governed since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Following the intensified military actions, the Syrian army warned that it would continue strikes and urged residents to evacuate safely.
In the midst of the violence, the SDF shared footage on X (formerly Twitter) purporting to show the aftermath of aerial and artillery attacks on Khaled Fajr Hospital in Sheikh Maqsoud, attributing responsibility for what they described as a war crime to factions aligned with the Damascus government. Conversely, a Defense Ministry statement sourced from the state-run news agency SANA claimed that the hospital had been utilized as a weapons depot.
The situation escalated further, with reports suggesting that government forces suffered casualties from SDF attacks, while the Syrian army accused Kurdish fighters of executing more than ten youth who refused to join their ranks—claims that the SDF dismissed as disinformation.
The conflict has already displaced around 159,000 individuals from Aleppo, marking this as one of the most significant outbreaks of violence since the power transition in Syria last year. As clashes continue, the deep-seated mistrust between the Kurdish forces and the Syrian government remains evident, particularly regarding the integration process of Kurdish fighters into the Syrian military.
Amid the ongoing turmoil, the dialogue between Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicates the wider implications of these clashes. Turkiye perceives the SDF as an offshoot of the PKK, an organization involved in a longstanding conflict against the Turkish state, and has expressed concerns over military operations in the region.
While some Kurdish representatives have accused the Syrian authorities of choosing a path of confrontation, it is vital to highlight efforts to protect the rights of minorities, as reiterated by al-Sharaa, who emphasized that Kurds are an integral part of Syria’s national identity.
The United Nations has expressed alarm at the escalating violence in Aleppo, urging all parties to demonstrate flexibility and commit to peace talks, reinforcing the importance of dialogue in advancing a solution to the ongoing crisis. In response, France and the United States have been collaborating to foster de-escalation, with calls for national unity across all segments of Syrian society resonating throughout international discussions as the region’s future hangs in the balance.
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