In Aleppo, Syria's largest city, government security forces began deployment on Saturday within a neighborhood following days of fierce confrontations with Kurdish fighters which left numerous dead and injured. The conflict prompted multiple drone attacks throughout the day, leading authorities to suspend all civilian flights at Aleppo International Airport indefinitely, as reported by the state television network.
These clashes mark the most severe hostilities since the fall of then-President Bashar Assad in December 2024. Over the five days of fighting, at least 22 people lost their lives and more than 140,000 have been displaced from their homes.
U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, engaged in talks on Saturday with senior Syrian officials including President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus. Barrack urged all involved parties to halt violence immediately and return to negotiation processes.
On the social platform X, Barrack expressed concern that continuing violence risks reversing progress made since the Assad regime's collapse and could invite external interference harmful to all sides. He called for maximum restraint and an immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasizing that the ongoing armed clashes undermine an agreement reached in March between the Syrian government and Kurdish leadership.
He described the recent developments in Aleppo as deeply worrisome and reaffirmed Washington's goal of supporting a sovereign and united Syria at peace internally and with neighboring countries, where equality, justice, and opportunity are accessible to all citizens.
State news agency SANA reported two Kurdish militants committed self-immolation when encircled by security forces, causing no casualties. By midday Saturday, sporadic gunfire continued in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood.
Later in the afternoon, a drone carrying explosives struck the Aleppo Governorate building shortly after a press conference involving two cabinet ministers and a local official concerning city events. The state television aired footage purportedly showing the drone explosion and attributed the assault to Kurdish fighters. However, Syria's main Kurdish-led force denied these allegations, asserting its combatants did not target civilian facilities.
Since early morning, Syrian security personnel conducted sweeping operations in the neighborhood, urging residents to remain indoors for safety reasons. Hundreds displaced in preceding days awaited authorization at access points to Sheikh Maqsoud to return once military actions conclude.
The clashes erupted Tuesday in predominantly Kurdish districts including Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid, following stalled negotiations between the government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on integrating their troops into the National Army. Government forces have since taken control of Ashrafieh and Bani Zaid.
Kurdish authorities reported at least twelve civilian deaths in their districts, while government officials cited a minimum of ten civilian fatalities in government-controlled nearby areas.
Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa accused Kurdish forces of using civilian structures such as hospitals and clinics during combat operations. Both sides have blamed each other for initiating violence and targeting neighborhoods and civil infrastructure, including ambulances and medical facilities.
The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria stated that government forces attacked the Khaled Fajr hospital in Sheikh Maqsoud, endangering patients and medical staff. They called on the international community to intervene and compel Damascus to stop the bombings.
SANA also reported that at least one member of the security forces was wounded when an SDF-launched drone struck the neighborhood. Associated Press correspondents noted the sound of gunfire accompanying government drones flying over Sheikh Maqsoud.
The Syrian army declared Sheikh Maqsoud a "closed military zone" starting Friday night, initiating a "clearing operation." The previous day, Barrack discussed the situation with Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman. The envoy stated Jordan offered support toward consolidating the ceasefire and facilitating the peaceful withdrawal of Kurdish fighters from Aleppo.
Journalist Bassem Mroue contributed reporting from Beirut.