Syrian security forces began deploying on Saturday in a neighbourhood in the northern city of Aleppo following days of intense clashes with Kurdish fighters that left dozens killed and wounded, news agency AP reported.
The country’s state news agency SANA reported that two Kurdish fighters blew themselves up amid security forces without causing casualties, even as gunfire continued to be heard in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood around noon on Saturday.
Since the early hours of the day, Syrian security forces have been sweeping the area after urging residents to remain indoors for their safety. Hundreds of people who fled the neighbourhood earlier were seen waiting at the entrances of Sheikh Maqsoud, hoping to return once military operations conclude, AP reported.
The clashes erupted on Tuesday in the predominantly Kurdish neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid after talks failed between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—the country’s main Kurdish-led force—on integrating their fighters into the national army. Security forces have since taken control of Achrafieh and Bani Zaid.
At least 22 people were killed in five days of fighting, AP reported.
Kurdish forces said at least 12 civilians died in the Kurdish-majority areas, while government officials reported 10 deaths in the nearby government-controlled neighbourhoods. The violence also displaced more than 1.4 lakh people.
Syria declares Aleppo area closed military zone
Syria’s Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa told state television that Kurdish fighters used civilian buildings, including hospitals and clinics, during the clashes. Both sides have accused each other of initiating the violence and deliberately targeting civilian neighbourhoods and infrastructure, including ambulance crews and hospitals.
The Kurdish-led Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, which controls large parts of Syria’s northeast, alleged that security forces targeted the Khaled Fajr Hospital in Sheikh Maqsoud, endangering patients and paramedics. It appealed to the international community to intervene and pressure government forces to stop shelling.
State TV reported that at least one security personnel was injured after a drone fired by the SDF struck the neighbourhood. Associated Press journalists said sporadic gunfire could be heard as government-deployed drones flew over Sheikh Maqsoud.
The Syrian military declared the area a “closed military zone” on Friday night as it launched what it described as a “clearing operation”.
Meanwhile, in Jordan, state media said Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi discussed the developments in Syria with US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack in Amman.
Jordan expressed support for efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and ensure the peaceful withdrawal of Kurdish fighters from Aleppo, the reports said.
(With AP inputs)
