Violence erupted in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Monday, resulting in at least three fatalities and 31 injuries during clashes between the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This confrontation occurred amid ongoing high-level discussions regarding the integration of the SDF into Syria’s state institutions.
The clashes come less than eight days before a critical deadline set forth in a March 10 agreement. Under this accord, both the Syrian government and the SDF committed to a nationwide ceasefire and the integration of civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the state framework. The SDF, which has received support from the United States, is currently the most prominent non-governmental force in Syria and controls strategic territories in the northeast.
According to the Damascus-run Aleppo Health Directorate, at least two civilians lost their lives and eight others sustained injuries due to SDF shelling in various Aleppo neighborhoods. In a counterstatement, Farhad Shami, head of SDF media, reported that one civilian was killed, and 23 individuals were injured, including six security personnel. He attributed these injuries to mortar and heavy-weapon assaults from “factions affiliated with the Damascus government.”
Both the SDF and the Syrian Defense Ministry exchanged accusations regarding the initiation of hostilities. The Defense Ministry claimed its forces were responding to SDF attacks targeting civilian areas and military positions in government-controlled zones of Aleppo. In subsequent communications, both parties indicated a temporary cessation of hostilities, with the SDF announcing this decision as a result of ongoing de-escalation efforts.
Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Syria’s Foreign Minister, stated that the SDF has not demonstrated adequate commitment to fulfilling the March 10 agreement, as reported by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). He indicated that Damascus had recently proposed a plan to move the process forward and was currently evaluating the SDF’s response.
The outbreak of violence coincided with a visit from Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, to Damascus. During a joint news conference, Fidan expressed Turkey’s support for the ongoing talks, emphasizing their importance for Syria’s stability. He remarked that the integration of the SDF into Syria’s administration should be achieved through dialogue and reconciliation, warning that alternative routes could jeopardize the country’s security. Fidan also noted that the SDF has shown “little intention” to make meaningful progress.
Turkey has historically opposed the SDF, which has been trained and equipped by the United States to combat the Islamic State group. Ankara views the SDF as affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an organization it designates as terrorist.
The situation remains tense as both sides navigate the complexities of integration talks while managing the fallout from recent clashes. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, given the potential implications for regional stability and security.
