Aleppo Explodes Into Violence: Fierce SDF Attacks On The Syrian City Leave Civilians In Terror And Ruins | World News

Sam: Severe clashes broke out in Aleppo after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported that the Syrian army hit their positions in the Maksud and Ashrafiye neighborhoods of the city. According to an operational update from the SDF, forces destroyed two armored vehicles and inflicted casualties on government troops.

SDF said that the clashes continued during what they described as the “heroic resistance” of the Internal Security Forces, which were exposed to relentless bombardment from tanks, artillery and unmanned aerial vehicles. The SDF claims that nine Syrian soldiers have been killed in these clashes so far.

At the same time, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating. Dr. co-chairman of the health council in the Kurdish-controlled Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh and Bani Zaid neighborhoods. Othman Sheikh Issa told Germany’s DPA news agency that four out of five local hospitals are no longer in operation.

“We lack doctors, medicines and diesel to run generators,” he said, adding that the neighborhoods have been under heavy shelling for three consecutive days.

While Syrian security sources confirmed that government forces entered the first buildings in Sheikh Maksud and Ashrafiya, new clashes are reported between the army and SDF in these regions.

The violence has complicated ongoing political negotiations. Syrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi stated that the clashes undermined the talks with Damascus on the agreement reached last year to integrate Kurdish forces into the Syrian army.

He said the deployment of tanks, artillery bombardments and attempts to attack populated areas during negotiations made it impossible to reach meaningful agreements.

Abdi visited Damascus on Sunday for talks on implementing the March agreement, but state media reported that the talks did not yield any concrete results.

The number of injured is increasing. The Syrian Ministry of Health said the death toll in SDF attacks in Aleppo had risen to nine, while 55 people were injured, state-run SANA news agency reported. The ministry added that there were losses in civilian areas targeted by the SDF.

The SDF has stated that it has not and will not request safe passage to leave Sheikh Maqsoud or Ashrafieh. They argue that the attackers do not have their own forces and that the responsibility for withdrawing tanks, artillery and troops from populated areas lies with the government.

However, it is reported that negotiations continue to ensure the safe passage of civilians in conflict zones. A Syrian government source told Al Jazeera that intermediaries were working with the SDF to ensure the safe departure of residents.

As the clashes intensified, thousands of residents sought shelter. “There were a lot of bombings and loud noises, and a shell landed next to our house. I’ve been through these situations a lot, so I’m not afraid. But my nephew was really scared, so we had to come to the church,” said Georgette Lulu, a member of about 100 people at the St. Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Church in Aleppo.

Hassan Nader, representing the Aleppo Ministry of Social Affairs, said that approximately 4 thousand people remained in shelters, while tens of thousands of people fled to other parts of the city.

The European Union (EU) has expressed concern about the violence. EU spokesman Anouar al-Anouni called on all parties to exercise restraint, protect civilians and seek a diplomatic solution. EU presidents Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa are scheduled to visit Damascus to meet with Syrian leaders.

The SDF is a US-backed Kurdish-led alliance founded in 2015 that controls key areas of eastern Syria, including oil fields. This operation was effective in defeating Raqqa, the last stronghold of ISIS, in 2017, and there were approximately 900 US soldiers in these regions.

Türkiye considers the SDF a terrorist organization due to its links with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), although peace talks continue.

Aleppo Health Directorate confirmed that at least 15 people were killed in the recent clashes and 52 people were injured, including 7 civilians injured in SDF attacks.

Türkiye said it was ready to support the Syrian government if requested. An official from the Ministry of Defense stated that Ankara is closely following the developments in northern Syria and is ready to provide the necessary assistance.

The new clashes represent the fiercest clashes so far in Aleppo. While large numbers of government troops headed towards the central Ashrafiya and Sheikh Maksud neighborhoods, it is estimated that around two-thirds of civilians fled the fighting. But more than 10,000 residents were stranded. Images released by the SDF show injured civilians on the streets of the city.

Reports in state media state that SDF’s bombardment hit student residences at Aleppo University and injured a doctor at Razi Hospital. The SDF also reported that two drones were shot down during “heavy clashes” in the city.

SANA reported that in a separate incident, SDF fighters targeted a Syrian Civil Defense ambulance with sniper fire near the evacuation point, wounding a female medic.

As Aleppo grapples with intense conflict and the city’s residents face increasing fear, famine and uncertainty, international actors are calling for restraint and pressing for diplomatic solutions to prevent further humanitarian disasters.