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yesterday

Aleppo Fighting Kills at Least Nine as Syria–SDF Integration Push Stalls

The deadliest flare-up in months follows fruitless Damascus talks on a long-delayed plan to fold the Kurdish-led SDF into Syria's new army.

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Flights have been suspended for 24 hours at Aleppo's international airport, seen in March 2025, due to the clashes
Security forces and Kurdish fighters have clashed violently in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. (AP PHOTO)
A Syrian army parade in Aleppo, where violence has again reared its ugly head. Reuters

Overview

  • Clashes between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led SDF reignited in Aleppo on January 6, with AFP reporting at least nine people killed, mostly civilians, as both sides disputed responsibility.
  • State media said SDF fire killed four civilians and a defence ministry serviceman, while the SDF denied shelling civilians and accused pro-government factions and drones of deadly strikes in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh.
  • Aleppo authorities suspended flights to and from the city’s airport for 24 hours, ordered schools, universities and government offices closed on Wednesday, and warned residents to avoid contested neighborhoods.
  • Talks in Damascus on Sunday involving SDF commander Mazloum Abdi yielded no tangible progress on the March 2025 integration agreement, which has stalled over whether SDF units would remain intact or be absorbed individually.
  • The SDF reported additional attacks near Deir Hafer and close to the Tishreen Dam, and Turkey’s defense minister renewed calls for Kurdish-linked groups to disarm, underscoring the risk of broader escalation.