Aleppo SDF drone strike 2026: Sharp Escalation as Conflict Ignites in Northern Syria

A press conference turned into a scene of chaos as a drone struck the heart of Aleppo’s government. On January 10, 2026, a suspected SDF drone targeted a governorate building in Aleppo, marking a dangerous turning point in the friction between the Syrian army and Kurdish-led forces. According to reports from Al Jazeera, the strike occurred while high-ranking officials were briefing the media on recent clashes.

Strategic Impact of the Aleppo SDF drone strike 2026

The long-range drone hit the upper floors of the building as Governor Azzam al-Gharib and two government ministers were inside. This is the first reported instance of the US-backed SDF deploying such technology into the heart of Syria’s second-largest city. The attack follows four days of heavy fighting in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh districts, despite a supposed withdrawal agreement meant to transfer fighters to Tabqa.

Humanitarian Crisis and Diplomatic Stalemate

The human cost of this escalation is staggering. Approximately 180,000 civilians have been displaced from Kurdish neighborhoods this week alone. Health officials confirmed at least 22 fatalities, including children. While the United States and the United Nations have called for an immediate ceasefire, Turkiye has expressed its readiness to support the Syrian government against what it perceives as a persistent security threat from the SDF.