Syrian government forces announced on Saturday the completion of a “security sweep” in the Sheikh Maqsud neighborhood of Aleppo, following intense clashes with Kurdish fighters that have displaced tens of thousands of residents over the last several days.
Although the military declared the sweep finished, shelling echoed across the city as authorities demanded that fighters surrender their weapons immediately.
Government forces initiated strikes overnight after Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) defied a deadline to withdraw during a temporary ceasefire. In an official statement, the Ministry of Defense clarified the current military stance regarding the remaining armed elements.
“The only remaining option for the armed elements in the Sheikh Maqsud area of Aleppo is to surrender themselves and their weapons immediately,” the army stated.
The military previously confirmed that security forces arrested several SDF members during the push into the strategic northern neighborhood. Consequently, the government urged civilians to remain indoors while soldiers cleared the final pockets of resistance in the district.
Integration Efforts Stalled
The violence in Syria’s second city erupted after efforts to integrate the Kurdish autonomous administration into the new government stalled. Since fighting began on Tuesday, at least 21 civilians have died, creating a significant humanitarian crisis for the struggling nation.
Elham Ahmad, a senior official in the Kurdish administration, accused the Syrian authorities of “choosing the path of war.” She noted that the administration remains committed to previous agreements and hopes for international intervention to de-escalate the conflict. “The United States is playing a mediating role… we hope they will apply pressure to reach an agreement,” Ahmad said.
International Mediation and Risks
US envoy Tom Barrack recently headed to Damascus to discuss consolidating the ceasefire and ensuring a peaceful withdrawal of forces. Meanwhile, analysts warn that these clashes cast doubt on the government’s ability to gain the trust of minority factions.
Nanar Hawach, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, highlighted the broader implications for the country’s fragile reunification process. “If the fighting escalates, international actors will wonder about Damascus’s capacity to govern Syria’s heterogeneous society,” Hawach added.
While the new authorities have committed to protecting minorities, this recent bloodshed presents a major challenge to national stability.
