Residents have begun to return to a disputed area in Aleppo, Syria, following recent clashes between government forces and Kurdish-led groups. The conflict erupted in Kurdish neighborhoods like Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh, and Bani Zaid after disagreements over integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the national army. Security forces have regained control of Achrafieh and Bani Zaid after fierce fighting, marking the most significant violence since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The clashes resulted in at least 23 fatalities and forced over 140,000 people to evacuate due to shelling and drone attacks.
Kurdish fighters have retreated to northeastern Syria, under SDF control, pledging to continue the fight post-evacuation of civilians and wounded individuals in what they termed as a “partial ceasefire.” The situation in Sheikh Maqsoud appeared calm on Sunday, with government forces showcasing the damaged Khalid al-Fajer Hospital and an SDF military position they targeted.
Amid accusations exchanged between the SDF and Damascus, with the former claiming the government repeatedly targeted the hospital before patient evacuation, and the latter alleging the SDF’s use of civilian facilities for military purposes, the area remains heavily affected. Syrian Civil Defence teams are actively clearing mines left by Kurdish forces to ensure the safety of returning residents, who anxiously await clearance to re-enter their homes, reminiscent of the displacement experienced during the prolonged Syrian civil war.