The situation in Aleppo shifted again today as Syrian government forces expanded their presence in northern neighborhoods following days of clashes with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and affiliated groups. According to a Levant24 corespondent who spoke with government forces, SDF units used FPV suicide drones during fighting, most of which were intercepted. The same sources said several individuals “posing as civilians” were later identified as suicide bombers, with one detonating himself.
Government sources revealed some captured fighters did not speak Arabic and were identified as Kurdish fighters believed to be from Iraq, Turkey and Iran. The Syrian Ministry of Defense told Al Jazeera armed groups in Sheikh Maqsoud included members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and other “foreign elements,” alongside remnants of the former Assad regime.
Evacuation Efforts and Ceasefire Measures
The Defense Ministry announced a ceasefire around Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh and Bani Zaid starting early Friday to prevent further escalation and protect civilians. The ministry said arrangements were made to transfer SDF elements carrying light weapons to areas east of the Euphrates, with Syrian army units escorting them.
Buses arrived near the Layramoun Roundabout to facilitate the evacuation, however the efforts were halted after gunfire targeted the buses. A military source told local outlets the agreement remained in place yet divisions within the SDF ranks caused the disruption. SANA later reported that 100 SDF members defected and were secured by Internal Security Forces.
Friday evening, January 9, Security forces declared Sheikh Maqsoud a closed zone, imposing a complete curfew. Syrian forces took control of Ashrafieh and Bani Zaid, leaving Sheikh Maqsoud as the final neighborhood outside state control.
Services, Safety and Civilian Protection
The Aleppo Media Directorate said government institutions are preparing to enter Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud to restore services once security conditions allow. Authorities urged residents not to return until mines are cleared and roads reopened. Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh said teams had begun removing barriers, opening roads and surveying for unexploded ordnance to ensure civilian safety.
The Ministry of Interior announced Internal Security Forces deployed in areas where clashes subsided to protect property and prepare for residents’ return. It stressed that civilian safety remains the top priority.
Syria’s Ministry of Information condemned what it said was the targeting of the press by SDF mortar fire, which injured four journalists on the outskirts of Ashrafieh, according to SANA. The ministry called the incident a violation of international law and press freedom.
Turkish Ambassador to Syria Nuh Yilmaz said it was encouraging to see the April 1 agreement implemented, even belatedly, adding that peace and stability remain essential for Syria’s future. Kurdish media activist Zana Khalil told Levant24 the escalation followed repeated violations of the agreement by the SDF, while noting that government institutions were working to shelter displaced civilians and keep dialogue channels open. As security forces consolidate control, officials say the coming days will determine whether calm can be sustained and residents can return safely to their neighborhoods.
