Syria: Clashes and Mutual Threats Between the Army and 'SDF', Declaration of Two Neighborhoods as a 'Closed Military Area'

SadaNews - The intensity of the clashes and shelling between the army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has escalated in Aleppo, northern Syria, while the former announced the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh in the city as a 'closed military area' after 3 PM today, opening 'two safe humanitarian crossings' for civilians to leave the area.

The Civil Defense in Aleppo reported the displacement of more than 10,000 people from the neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud, while the city's health directorate announced the death of 4 civilians and the injury of 18 others as a result of the SDF targeting residential neighborhoods in the city.

The Syrian news agency 'SANA' reported that the SDF prevents civilians wishing to leave the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh from reaching the two humanitarian crossings declared by the army's operations authority, namely 'Al-Awarid' and 'Al-Zuhur Street'.

The SDF targeted Syrian army positions in the vicinity of the mentioned neighborhoods with bullets and shells, as well as civilians wishing to exit from these neighborhoods to the humanitarian crossings; according to 'SANA'.

Schools and public institutions in the city of Aleppo were closed on Wednesday, following clashes that erupted on Tuesday, the most violent between the two sides, resulting in the death of nine people, as negotiations between the Syrian authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to stall, since they signed an agreement in March stipulating the integration of Kurdish self-administration institutions within the framework of the Syrian state.

The Syrian army announced in a statement conveyed by the official news agency (SANA) on Wednesday that 'all military sites of the SDF within the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh in Aleppo are a legitimate military target'.

It added, 'We announce two safe humanitarian crossings' for the residents of the area until 3 PM, while 'SANA' published images of civilians carrying personal belongings and fleeing towards the outskirts of Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood.

For its part, the Syrian Democratic Forces stated that 'the military deployment of the government around Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh is a dangerous indicator that warns of escalation and the possibility of a large-scale war', noting that they have observed the deployment of 80 military vehicles for the Syrian government in the vicinity of the neighborhoods.

They mentioned that 'the Syrian government forces continue to shell the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh with tanks and drones'.

'SANA' reported on Wednesday morning that the SDF shelled the Al-Souryan neighborhood, and government forces clashed with them, responding to 'the sources of fire in Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood'.

Abdul Karim Baqi, a 50-year-old resident of the Ashrafiyeh neighborhood, was compelled to flee to a relative's house with his wife, fearing the escalation of fighting.

He said, 'Aleppo at night was a ghost town, with absolutely no movement, shops closed, many streets dark with no electricity, and we hear occasional distant bursts of gunfire.'

He added, 'We are not far from the clashes and I fear we will have to displace to a more distant location for fear of random shelling.'

The governor of Aleppo, Izzam Al-Ghareeb, announced the closure of all schools and universities and governmental administrations in the city on Wednesday, as well as the cancellation of all collective and social events. The General Aviation Authority suspended 'flights in and out of Aleppo International Airport for 24 hours' due to shelling, according to 'SANA'.

Abdul Karim Omar, the head of the self-administration office in Damascus, stated, 'There are efforts toward calming the situation, and no one has an interest in escalation', confirming that 'all parties and guaranteeing countries, including the United States, are continuing efforts for de-escalation'.

Joud Sarjayan, a 53-year-old housewife residing in the Al-Souryan neighborhood near the conflict areas, said, 'All our relatives live in Al-Souryan neighborhood and we have no other place to displace to, so we will stay in our home.'

The government forces have controlled Aleppo since they ousted the previous regime, but local Kurdish forces linked to the SDF and its internal security forces (Asayish) control the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh.

Both sides have exchanged accusations for months over failing to implement the agreement signed by SDF commander Mazloum Abdi and President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on March 10.

It was supposed to complete the implementation of its provisions by the end of 2025, but differences in viewpoints between the two sides have hindered progress, despite pressure mainly led by Washington.

The Kurdish forces accused factions within the Syrian army on Tuesday of shelling the city of Deir Hafer, located about fifty kilometers east of Aleppo, and the vicinity of the strategic al-Tishreen dam northeast of Aleppo 'with mortars and heavy weapons'.

Last month, five people were killed, including four civilians in Aleppo due to clashes between government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged the Kurdish forces from Damascus 'not to become an obstacle to the unity and stability of Syrian territory'.