Aleppo Clashes Kill Civilians as Syria Government and SDF Trade Blame

Fighting in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo escalated on Tuesday, leaving at least four people dead and several others wounded, according to Syrian state media. The violence highlights ongoing tensions between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as both sides accused each other of responsibility for the clashes.

According to the state news agency SANA, three of those killed were civilians, while the fourth was a Syrian army soldier. Syria’s defence ministry claimed that the SDF continued to escalate the situation by targeting army positions and residential neighborhoods in Aleppo. The SDF firmly denied the accusations, stating that the casualties resulted from what it described as indiscriminate artillery and missile shelling carried out by factions aligned with the Damascus government.

The clashes reportedly resumed in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh districts after a brief lull. Local official Nouri Sheikho told Reuters that discussions with the central government were underway in an effort to stop the violence. He added that residents feared the fighting could lead to widespread killings and accused government forces of using rockets, artillery, and tanks in populated areas.

The renewed violence comes as Syrian officials attempt to revive negotiations aimed at integrating the U.S.-backed SDF into the national army. The proposed deal is intended to resolve one of Syria’s most significant remaining political and military divisions following 14 years of conflict. However, progress has been limited, with both sides accusing the other of acting in bad faith.

The SDF has been reluctant to surrender the autonomy it gained during the war, which left it in control of key oil resources and prisons holding Islamic State detainees. Failure to reach an agreement risks further instability and could potentially draw in Turkey, which has repeatedly threatened military action against Kurdish fighters it considers terrorists.

In response to the deteriorating security situation, Aleppo governor Azzam al-Gharib announced the suspension of schools, universities, and government offices on Wednesday. Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation also suspended flights to and from Aleppo’s airport for 24 hours, rerouting flights to Damascus while safety evaluations are conducted.

An earlier de-escalation agreement reached after clashes in late December now appears fragile, underscoring the volatility of northern Syria and the urgent need for a lasting political solution.