The Syrian army has renewed heavy strikes on Kurdish-held neighborhoods in Aleppo, particularly Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, after Kurdish forces rejected a ceasefire and evacuation demands on January 9, 2026.
Government forces launched artillery and air attacks following the expiration of a deadline for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and affiliated groups to withdraw from the districts. The army declared the areas “closed military zones” and urged civilians to evacuate through humanitarian corridors.
Casualties and Displacement
At least 22 people have been killed and 173 wounded since clashes intensified earlier in the week, according to reports from Al Jazeera and other sources. Thousands of residents fled their homes amid intense shelling, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noting significant civilian displacement.
Kurdish councils described the demands as a “call to surrender” and vowed to defend the neighborhoods. The SDF accused government forces of targeting civilian areas, including a hospital, while Damascus insisted strikes focused on military positions.
Ceasefire Breakdown and Ongoing Operations
A temporary truce announced on January 9 quickly unraveled when Kurdish fighters refused to leave. The army stated operations were over 90% complete in some areas by Saturday, claiming arrests of SDF members and seizure of weapons.
This escalation follows failed negotiations to integrate Kurdish forces into the national army post-Assad, raising fears of wider conflict in northern Syria.
