Clashes Erupt in Aleppo as Syrian Army and SDF Conflict Intensifies

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). These confrontations occurred amid ongoing high-level discussions on integrating the SDF into Syria’s state institutions, a process outlined in a recent agreement.

The fighting comes just days before a deadline set by the March 10 agreement, which mandated a nationwide ceasefire and the incorporation of civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the state framework. The SDF, backed by the United States, is the most significant non-governmental force in Syria, controlling strategic areas in the northeast.

According to the Aleppo Health Directorate, two civilians died and eight others were wounded due to SDF shelling of local neighborhoods. In response, Farhad Shami, the head of SDF media, reported that one civilian was killed and 23 individuals, including six security personnel, were injured from what he described as artillery and heavy weapon attacks by “factions affiliated with the Damascus government.”

Both the SDF and the Syrian Defense Ministry have exchanged allegations regarding the initiation of hostilities. The Defense Ministry claimed its forces were responding to SDF attacks targeting civilian areas and military deployment points in government-held territories of Aleppo.

Ceasefire Efforts and Diplomatic Interventions

Despite the violence, both sides indicated they had paused their assaults on each other. The SDF attributed this decision to ongoing de-escalation efforts, while Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani expressed concerns about the SDF’s commitment to the March 10 agreement, as reported by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). He mentioned that Damascus had put forward a proposal to advance the integration process and was awaiting the SDF’s response.

The clashes coincided with a visit from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who emphasized Turkey’s support for the integration talks, framing them as vital to Syria’s stability. At a press briefing, Fidan stated that the SDF’s integration into Syria’s governance should occur through dialogue and reconciliation. He cautioned that alternative approaches could jeopardize Syria’s security, adding that the SDF had demonstrated “little intention” to make meaningful progress.

Turkey has a longstanding opposition to the SDF, which it associates with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara. In contrast, the SDF has received support from the United States in combating the Islamic State group, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the region.

As the situation unfolds, the potential for further violence remains a pressing concern, especially with the integration discussions still in progress. The international community watches closely as the Syrian government and Kurdish forces navigate this precarious moment in their tumultuous history.