Syrian Government Aleppo Kurdish Withdrawal Demand: A Fragile Peace Collapses
Syrian government forces demand Kurdish fighters withdraw from Aleppo neighborhoods. Over 3,000 flee as integration talks fail in early 2026.
The truce is over, and the guns are back. A fragile power-sharing agreement between Syria's new Islamist government and Kurdish forces has disintegrated into open warfare in the city of Aleppo.
Syrian Government Aleppo Kurdish Withdrawal Demand Ignites Violence
On January 7, 2026, the Syrian military demanded that Kurdish fighters immediately vacate the Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods. According to AFP, the demand follows deadly clashes on Tuesday that claimed the lives of 16 civilians and one defense official. The government has since declared these areas "closed military zones" and commenced shelling.
Local authorities have suspended all flights at Aleppo airport until Thursday evening. Schools and government offices remain shuttered as tanks and soldiers deploy around the contested districts. Military sources say the operation's goal is to "pressure" Kurdish units to leave so the state can assert full control over the city.
Failed Integration and Escalating Tensions
The violence signals the collapse of a March deal intended to merge the Kurdish semi-autonomous administration into the new national government by the end of 2025. While the Kurds seek decentralized rule, the authorities in Damascus—who took power after Bashar al-Assad was ousted in 2024—have rejected the proposal.
Damascus is launching a genocidal war against the Kurds. We call on them to pursue a path of reason to resolve problems through dialogue.
In contrast, the Syrian army labeled all SDF positions as "legitimate military targets," accusing them of shelling government-controlled residential areas. The SDF maintains they have no military presence in the neighborhoods and pose no threat.
A Humanitarian Crisis Amidst Deadlock
The human cost is mounting. Over 3,000 civilians have reportedly fled through humanitarian crossings. The UN has expressed grave concern, with spokesperson Stephane Dujarric calling for "maximum restraint" and a return to the negotiating table to prevent Syria from becoming an open battlefield once again.
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