Intense clashes in Aleppo force mass evacuations amid Syrian army-SDF fighting
Syrian army and Kurdish-led SDF clashed in Aleppo for a third day, prompting curfews, evacuations, and thousands fleeing through humanitarian corridors amid mounting civilian casualties.
Overview
Syrian army launched strikes and imposed curfews on Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh and Bani Zeid in Aleppo as fighting entered a third day.
The SDF and Damascus-aligned factions exchanged heavy fire; both sides accuse each other of targeting civilians, with casualties reported and hospitals and residential areas hit.
Humanitarian corridors opened by the Syrian army allowed tens of thousands to flee, many on foot; shelters and medical care were provided amid uncertainty about returning home.
The clashes deepen a rift over SDF integration into Syria’s army under a 2025 deal, raising risks of broader conflict and possible Turkish involvement.
International actors including the US and Kurdistan Regional Government urged restraint; diplomats warn failure to integrate the SDF risks escalating violence across northern Syria.
Analysis
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Sources (3)
FAQ
The latest clashes were triggered by a “limited military operation” announced on 7 January 2026 by the Syrian transitional government’s Ministry of Defense against SDF-linked sites in the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, following earlier skirmishes and mutual accusations over attacks on civilians and failure to implement an SDF integration agreement with Damascus.
Reports indicate at least five civilians killed and around 30,000 people displaced by the renewed fighting in Aleppo, with other sources citing a total of nine civilians killed and 55 wounded from SDF shelling since Tuesday, suggesting that casualties and displacement are mounting as the clashes continue.
The dispute stems from a March 2025 agreement under which the SDF was supposed to be integrated into Syrian state institutions and forces; Syrian authorities say the SDF has not met its obligations, and the recent offensive in Kurdish-majority neighborhoods is seen as a violation of follow‑up agreements meant to protect civilians, deepening mistrust and risking wider conflict.
The fighting has caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, forced tens of thousands to flee via humanitarian corridors, and pushed about 30,000 people into displacement, with many sheltering in collective centers, places of worship, or host communities, while several hospitals have ceased operations and aid groups warn of rising health risks due to limited access and harsh winter conditions.
International actors, including the United States, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and the UN, have called for restraint and de‑escalation, while regional powers such as Turkey have strong interests in northern Syria; diplomats and rights groups warn that failure to implement the political and integration agreements with the SDF could draw in external actors further and spread instability across northern Syria.
History
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