Syria gov’t, SDF trade blame as Aleppo violence resumes

State media stated that at least four people were killed and several others were injured in clashes in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, and that the government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces were responsible for the violence.

Tuesday’s clashes were the latest in the northern city, where authorities are trying to reach a deal to resolve Syria’s deepest remaining rift by uniting the US-backed SDF with the central government.

The SDF is reluctant to give up the autonomy it gained during 14 years of war; This has left the Islamic State in control of prisons and oil resources in a country that remains fragile just over a year since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad.

Failure to integrate the SDF into the Syrian army risks further escalation of violence and could potentially attract Türkiye, which has threatened to attack Kurdish fighters it views as terrorists.

State news agency SANA said three of those killed on Tuesday were civilians and the fourth was an army soldier.

The Syrian defense ministry said in a statement that the SDF continues its “escalation” by targeting army positions and residential areas in Aleppo.

The SDF denied responsibility, saying the casualties were due to “indiscriminate” artillery and missile bombardment by groups aligned with the Damascus government.

The agreement to integrate Kurdish forces was scheduled to be implemented by the end of 2025, but both sides have made little progress, with each accusing the other of stalling or acting in bad faith.

Syrian government forces and the SDF agreed to reduce tensions after clashes in late December.