Residents have started to return to a disputed area in the northern city of Aleppo, Syria, following violent clashes between government forces and Kurdish-led groups. First responders have entered the neighborhood to assist residents, clear debris, and dispose of mines.
The conflict erupted on Tuesday in predominantly Kurdish areas such as Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh, and Bani Zaid after the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) failed to reach an agreement on integrating the SDF into the national army. Security forces have since gained control of Achrafieh and Bani Zaid.
These clashes mark the fiercest fighting since the overthrow of then-President Bashar al-Assad by rebels in December 2024. The violence over five days resulted in the deaths of at least 23 individuals, with over 140,000 people displaced due to shelling and drone attacks.
Kurdish fighters have withdrawn from Sheikh Maqsoud to northeastern Syria, which is under SDF control. However, they have vowed to continue fighting after evacuating the wounded and civilians in what they termed a “partial ceasefire.”
The situation in the neighborhood appeared calm on Sunday, with government security forces guiding journalists through the devastated area, showcasing the damaged Khalid al-Fajer Hospital and a military site targeted by government forces belonging to the SDF’s security forces.
While the SDF accused the government of repeatedly targeting the hospital before patient evacuations, Damascus alleged that the Kurdish-led group was using civilian facilities, including the hospital, as military positions.
Residents shared their harrowing experiences with the Syrian Red Crescent responders, with some recounting difficulties leaving due to restrictions at SDF checkpoints. Syrian Civil Defence teams have been working to clear improvised mines left by Kurdish forces, delaying the return of displaced residents until the area is safe.
As memories of past displacements during Syria’s civil war resurface, residents like Hoda Alnasiri expressed a strong desire to return home, pleading for the clearance of mines to facilitate their safe reentry.