DAMASCUS, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Syrian authorities imposed a curfew across several neighborhoods in Aleppo on Thursday and demanded the withdrawal of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from parts of the city, citing escalating security tensions.
The Internal Security Command in Aleppo announced the curfew in the neighborhoods of Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, Bani Zaid, al-Siryan, al-Halak and al-Midan, effective from Thursday evening until further notice. All movement is prohibited in these areas.
In a separate statement carried by state-run SANA news agency, the Syrian government urged the withdrawal of SDF fighters from the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods.
The presence of armed groups in residential areas endangers civilians and obstructs political solutions, it said, adding that Kurds are an integral part of the Syrian people and full partners in the country under state institutions.
It accused the SDF of violating previous understandings and fueling military escalation.
Earlier in the day, the Syrian army launched heavy shelling against SDF positions in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, as the civilian death toll rose amid escalating clashes.
Aleppo's Health Directorate said the number of civilians killed in the clashes has risen to nine, with at least 55 others wounded.
Meanwhile, the SDF said the number of civilian victims from what it described as "indiscriminate attacks" by Syrian government-affiliated forces on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh has risen to 12, with 64 others injured.
In a statement on Thursday, SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi accused Syrian government-affiliated forces of deploying tanks and artillery in Aleppo's neighborhoods, shelling civilians and displacing residents during an ongoing negotiation. He said efforts are underway with various parties to halt the attacks. ■
