ALEPPO, Syria (AP) — On Thursday, Syrian authorities issued a warning for civilians to evacuate a contested area in the northern city of Aleppo. This announcement coincided with ongoing clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters. For the second consecutive day, the government opened an evacuation corridor for residents to flee the fighting in coordination with the military. The Aleppo provincial government set a deadline for residents to leave by 1 p.m. local time, after which the military planned to initiate "targeted operations" against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in key neighborhoods including Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh, and Bani Zaid.
Reports from an Associated Press journalist at the scene indicated that sporadic shelling continued as civilians exited the area early Thursday morning. By the previous day, over 46,000 people had already been displaced across Aleppo province due to the escalating violence. The SDF reported that at least eight civilians lost their lives in Kurdish-majority neighborhoods, while government sources stated that at least five civilians and one soldier had been killed in surrounding areas controlled by the government since the outbreak of fighting on Tuesday. Casualties also included several wounded on both sides.
Each side has accused the other of targeting civilian neighborhoods and critical infrastructure. The clashes unfolded amid a deadlock in political negotiations between the Syrian central government in Damascus, led by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, and the SDF, which governs much of northeast Syria. A controversial agreement was signed in March, aiming for the SDF to merge with the Syrian army by the end of 2025, but disputes over implementation have stalled progress. Following the deal, many SDF fighters vacated areas such as Sheikh Maqsoud and Achrafieh in April.
Despite recent meetings in Damascus, officials from both parties indicated that no substantial advancements were made in their discussions. The newly formed Syrian army, established after the fall of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024, includes factions previously backed by Turkey, which have a history of confrontations with Kurdish forces.
The SDF has been the primary U.S. ally in the campaign against the Islamic State group in Syria, but Turkey regards the SDF as a terrorist organization due to its connections with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), known for its long-standing insurgency in Turkey. A peace process is currently taking place, but relations remain precarious. Despite longstanding support for the SDF from the United States, the Trump administration deepened relations with al-Sharaa’s government and has urged the Kurdish forces to adhere to the terms of the March agreement.
As of now, the U.S. has not commented on the ongoing clashes in Aleppo, indicating a desire to maintain a distance from the situation. Additionally, Turkey's Ministry of National Defense stated that the military operation is being conducted solely by the Syrian Army while Turkey is "closely monitoring" the developments. The ministry emphasized that "Syria's security is our security," offering support if requested by the Syrian authorities.
The violence has raised alarms within the United Nations. Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed that Secretary General Antonio Guterres was alarmed by reports of civilian casualties in Aleppo. He called on all parties to de-escalate tensions, exercise maximum restraint, and take necessary actions to protect civilians. Furthermore, he urged that negotiations be promptly resumed to fully implement the agreed terms from March 10.
