DAMASCUS, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Syria's military on Wednesday declared the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in the northern city of Aleppo closed military zones and imposed a full curfew, amid an escalation in fighting with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to an official statement.
The Operations Command of the Syrian Arab Army said all SDF positions in the two neighborhoods would be treated as legitimate military targets following what it described as a "major escalation" and repeated attacks that caused civilian casualties. The military urged residents to stay away from SDF positions for their own safety.
According to the statement, the curfew in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh will take effect at 3:00 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) on Wednesday, with civilians instructed to avoid movement in the areas until further notice. The army said the measures were taken to protect civilians and facilitate military operations.
To allow civilians to leave the affected neighborhoods, the army announced the opening of two humanitarian corridors, which were made available to residents until 3:00 p.m., prior to the curfew's enforcement.
The announcement comes after several days of heightened violence in Aleppo, including drone attacks, shelling and exchanges of fire between government forces and SDF-linked units, which have resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians and security personnel, according to state media.
Syrian authorities have accused the SDF of targeting residential areas and security positions, while the SDF has denied responsibility and accused government-affiliated forces of indiscriminate shelling, reflecting sharply conflicting narratives over the latest escalation.
The fighting has further strained already fragile security arrangements in Aleppo, particularly in and around Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, areas that have long been sensitive flashpoints due to their strategic location and complex security control.
The renewed clashes come amid stalled political talks between the Syrian government and the SDF over a March 2025 agreement intended to integrate SDF-controlled forces and institutions into the Syrian state, raising concerns that the lack of progress on the political track is fueling repeated flare-ups on the ground. ■
