The Syrian Army’s Operations Command has declared a curfew.
Clashes between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue for a third day in the northern city of Aleppo, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes.
Military operations and humanitarian crisis
The Syrian Army’s Operations Command declared a curfew on Thursday starting at 13:30 local time in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zeid, announcing "targeted operations" against SDF positions. Authorities urged citizens to evacuate conflict zones and warned Kurdish forces not to target those attempting to leave.
The SDF press office blamed the government for the humanitarian consequences of the violence, warning that continuing this tactic would lead to severe repercussions. According to Al Jazeera reports, civilians are attempting to escape north toward the Afrin region, while many are heading to mosques and schools that appear unable to accommodate thousands of displaced persons.
Tens of thousands displaced
The Directorate of Social Affairs reported that more than 46,000 people have been displaced due to the fighting. Many fled the neighborhoods on foot through humanitarian corridors opened by the army, carrying whatever they could, while others left on city buses. Ahmed, 38, told AFP: "We fled the clashes and don't know where to go. Fourteen years of war, I think it's enough." 41-year-old Ammar Raji added: "We are forced to leave due to the difficult conditions. I have six children, two very young, and I worry we may never return."
Political background of the escalation
The clashes erupted following the failure to implement a March agreement to integrate Kurdish forces into state structures, which aimed to merge all political and military institutions of northeastern Syria into the Syrian state. The government accuses the SDF of over 100 violations of the agreement, while at least 20 civilians have been killed in attacks over the last month, according to Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa. The SDF denies having a presence in these neighborhoods and demands an immediate cessation of military operations, warning that continued violence could turn Syria back into an open battlefield.
International concerns and regional impacts
The UN expressed deep concern, calling on all parties to de-escalate, show maximum restraint, and take measures to protect civilians. Turkey is closely monitoring developments and states it is ready to assist Syria if requested. Analysts point out that the tension in Aleppo reflects the difficulty of the al-Sharaa government in integrating minorities into national structures and the risk of further destabilizing the already fragile Syrian state. Al-Sharaa's efforts to consolidate power are also burdened by the aggressive actions of Israel, which over the past year has carried out over 600 air, drone, and missile strikes in Syria. The situation remains extremely tense with aerial bombardments, rocket fire, and machine-gun fire, while drones monitor the battlefields, creating a climate of uncertainty and fear for residents.
Allegations of genocide
Elham Ahmed, a high-ranking Kurdish official, accused the Syrian authorities of waging a "genocidal war" against the Kurds and demanded that "problems be resolved through dialogue." The Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stated in a press release that they have had no presence in Aleppo since their fighters withdrew in April, following the agreement reached with Syrian authorities.
They further added that the two Kurdish districts "do not constitute a military threat in any way and cannot serve as a base for any attack against Aleppo." Calling for "the immediate end to the siege, the bombings, and the military offensive against civilians," the SDF warned that "the continuation of this attack could plunge the whole of Syria back into open war." The Kurds, a significant minority in Syria, control large areas in the northeast rich in oil and grain. With US support, the SDF was the spearhead in the fight against ISIS, which was defeated in Syria in 2019.
Intervention from Israel
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar today condemned the attacks launched by Syrian regime forces against the Kurdish minority in Aleppo, describing them as "serious and dangerous." "The systematic and lethal repression exercised against various minorities in Syria contradicts the promises of a 'new Syria,'" Saar added, noting that the international community remains silent while it has a "moral duty to the Kurds," who fought bravely against the Islamic State. Saar’s statements come days after an Israel–Syria agreement during talks in Paris to create "a communication core" under American supervision, aimed at preventing conflict after decades of tension. Despite this initiative, violence continues and the situation for the Kurds in northern Syria remains precarious. Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes and ground operations in Syria since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad to protect minorities like the Druze, especially after the incidents of violence in the southern part of the country in July when Damascus was bombed.
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