Violent confrontations between the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have escalated in the northern region of Aleppo, now in its third day, resulting in the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians. Syrian authorities advised civilians to evacuate a disputed area in Aleppo, setting up a corridor for their safe departure and announcing forthcoming “targeted operations” against the SDF in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid. The conflict, which erupted on Tuesday, has led to multiple casualties and numerous injuries. Both factions have accused each other of intentionally attacking civilian areas and critical infrastructure in the ongoing conflict, presenting a significant challenge for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has vowed to unify the nation following 14 years of warfare.
Save the Children’s Syria country director, Rasha Murhez, disclosed that over 16,000 civilians, including half being children, have been compelled to flee Aleppo in the past 24 hours. The remaining families are enduring severe shortages of essential supplies like food, clothing, and heating fuel in the harsh nighttime temperatures. The Aleppo directorate of social affairs and labor estimates around 140,000 individuals have been internally displaced in the province, many of whom are vulnerable due to medical conditions, age, or gender.
The conflict has resulted in fatalities on both sides, with government-controlled areas reporting at least seven civilian and one soldier casualties, while the SDF claims eight civilian deaths in the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods. The United Nations has expressed apprehension over the violence and called for de-escalation. UNICEF is actively responding to the urgent needs of displaced families by distributing hygiene kits in shelters across the province.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-supported coalition controlling a significant portion of northeastern Syria, has been a key ally in Washington’s efforts against ISIS. The SDF has established semi-autonomous governance in these regions during Syria’s long conflict, resisting full integration into the Islamist-led government established after the removal of former dictator Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. The U.S. State Department is closely monitoring the situation and advocating for restraint among all parties involved.
The recent clashes in Aleppo have arisen amidst stalled political negotiations between the central government and the SDF. Despite a deal reached in March for the SDF to merge with the Syrian army by the end of 2025, progress has been sluggish, with mutual accusations of delays. Disagreements persist on the integration process, with some SDF fighters having already left certain areas. Efforts to advance negotiations in Damascus have yielded limited results, prompting concerns of further violence and instability in the region.
Turkey views the SDF as a terrorist entity due to its ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group engaged in a prolonged insurgency in Turkey. The Turkish government’s stance underscores the potential risks of ongoing conflict and the imperative of integrating the SDF into Syria’s armed forces to avert heightened hostilities and external involvement.