At least 12 people have died in two days of fierce fighting between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces in Aleppo. This violence has caused tens of thousands of civilians to flee the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. The government bombarded these areas after labeling them “closed military zones.”
Officials claim their actions are necessary to maintain security. However, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) called the attacks a “criminal attempt” to displace residents.
It’s a heartbreaking situation. One resident described it as “terrible and awful,” saying friends have left and conflict erupts without warning. Another displaced father, Samer Issa, explained their terrifying escape: “The shelling intensified. We left because our children could no longer endure it.”
The ongoing violence highlights the troubles for President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s government, which faces deep divisions in a country still recovering from years of civil war. A year has passed since a rebel offensive ended Bashar al-Assad’s long rule, yet harmony remains elusive.
In March 2025, the SDF signed an agreement to integrate into Syria’s state structures, but progress has stalled. Both sides accuse each other of sabotaging the deal. The SDF is wary of losing the autonomy it gained during the 13-year conflict, especially after collaborating with U.S. forces to defeat ISIS.
The tensions in Aleppo could also pull neighboring Turkey into the conflict. Turkey supports the Syrian government and views the Kurdish forces as a threat.
This ongoing crisis reflects a deeper struggle for power and control in Syria, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire. As international dialogue continues without resolution, those impacted wait and hope for peace.
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