Overview
- Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Kasra said a comprehensive truce took effect across main fronts and army positions in northern and northeastern Syria, and government sources reported talks between al‑Scharaa and SDF leader Maslum Abdi with US officials present.
- Fighting in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafieh districts saw blockaded roads, reports of explosive-laden drones and armored movements, with at least one security officer and one civilian killed and several wounded.
- Each side accused the other of triggering the escalation, with the transitional government citing attacks on checkpoints and the SDF blaming provocation and attempted advances by government forces.
- The violence puts further strain on the unimplemented March deal to fold the Kurdish-led administration and SDF into state institutions, as Turkey threatens military measures over delays and the US presses for faster talks.
- The clashes coincided with an indirect parliamentary selection criticized as unrepresentative, where about 6,000 electors chose most members, the president will appoint one third, and many Kurdish and Druze areas did not vote.