On January 7, the Syrian Army’s Operations Command declared all positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) inside the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid in Aleppo as legitimate military targets. The announcement followed a new wave of escalation after an SDF attack on a Syrian army vehicle near the Lairamoun roundabout, which resulted in the death of a soldier, according to official sources.
This marks the third escalation in less than six months, following earlier confrontations in September and December of last year that ended with temporary de-escalation agreements. Unlike previous rounds, the current developments have evolved into more intense clashes.
The declaration coincided with the launch of a military operation in SDF-held areas in northern Aleppo, alongside the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave the neighborhoods, signaling a more serious and potentially prolonged trajectory.
Historical Background of the Three Neighborhoods
Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid are traditionally working-class neighborhoods with a mixed population of Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen. At their peak, their population was estimated at around 200,000 residents.
In the summer of 2012, Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud witnessed the first organized mobilization by the Democratic Union Party (PYD), widely regarded as the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Demonstrations were held featuring images of Abdullah Öcalan, followed by the appearance of armed elements affiliated with the party’s military wing, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which later became the core component of the SDF.
YPG forces deployed at the entrances and exits of the neighborhoods without engaging Syrian government forces, coinciding with the advance of opposition factions into eastern Aleppo during the same period.
Control, Confrontation, and Strategic Roads
Between 2013 and 2016, Syrian opposition factions positioned themselves on the outskirts of Ashrafieh and Bani Zaid to secure the Castello Road, a vital supply route linking Aleppo to its northern and western countryside and onward to the Turkish border. During this time, frequent clashes erupted between opposition forces and YPG units.
By late 2016, the YPG had fully taken control of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid. This followed the opposition’s withdrawal from Aleppo after a Russian-backed military campaign, during which the Castello Road was cut with the participation of YPG forces, effectively besieging eastern Aleppo.
Since December 2016, Kurdish units have maintained control over these neighborhoods.
The April 2025 Agreement and Renewed Tensions
In April 2025, the Syrian government signed an agreement with Kurdish protection units affiliated with the SDF as part of a broader negotiation process, based on the March 10, 2025 accord. The agreement affirmed that Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh are administratively part of Aleppo, assigned security responsibility to the Ministry of Interior, mandated the withdrawal of armed forces toward eastern Syria, and guaranteed fair representation for the neighborhoods in Aleppo’s provincial council.
However, repeated escalations following the agreement revealed that the SDF retained heavy weapons in Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud, including mortars and armored vehicles, prompting Damascus to tighten security measures before launching the current military operation.
Stalled Negotiations and the Turn to Force
The military escalation comes nearly ten months after a comprehensive agreement between Damascus and SDF leader Mazloum Abdi, which stipulated the preservation of Syria’s territorial unity and the integration of SDF-affiliated civil and military institutions into the Syrian state.
Despite five rounds of talks, no concrete progress was achieved on implementation mechanisms or timelines. Tensions intensified during the most recent negotiations, marked by mutual accusations of stalling and repeated violations, particularly regarding the continued presence of armed units and resistance to the deployment of government forces.
According to informed sources, disagreements were further compounded by allegations that the SDF continued to recruit former officers and elements of the previous regime, adding another layer of complexity to the talks.
A “Targeted” Military Operation
On January 8, the Syrian Army’s Operations Command announced its intention to carry out focused strikes against SDF positions in Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, and Bani Zaid, urging civilians to stay away from military sites. This approach suggests a deliberate avoidance of a full-scale ground assault at this stage.
Military sources indicated that Ashrafieh holds particular strategic importance due to its elevated terrain, which allows control over key routes such as the Aleppo–Gaziantep road. The area’s high-rise buildings also provide vantage points for snipers, enabling attacks on neighboring districts, civilian areas, and the main commercial artery linking Aleppo to the Turkish border.
