Syrian Army Launches Violent Offensive in Aleppo

Syrian government forces have launched a military operation in northern Aleppo, triggering heavy clashes with fighters from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in densely populated neighborhoods of the city.

According to Syrian military sources, the operation began after the army published a map identifying a site in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood that it said was being used by SDF militias as a military position. The army claimed the location was being used to shell civilian neighborhoods in Aleppo, prompting the decision to strike.

Fighting was reported around the al-Shihan roundabout in northern Aleppo, where government forces made limited advances. Clashes also erupted near the Syriac Quarters and the Suleimaniyeh Center, south of the al-Ashrafiyeh district. Syrian troops attempted to storm those areas but were pushed back, suffering what sources described as significant casualties.

Contrary to some early reports, Syrian government forces have not entered the al-Ashrafiyeh neighborhood, which remains under SDF control.

As the fighting intensified, the Syrian government issued five evacuation orders covering SDF-controlled areas in northern Aleppo. Residents were ordered to leave the Youth Housing Development, the Martyrs Housing area and April Park south of the al-Shaqif micro-district, two apartment blocks south of the Jewish Cemetery, several residential complexes west of al-Snoubari Park, and the area surrounding the Saad bin Waqqas Mosque and Montana Mall.

Maps circulated by Syrian authorities marked the evacuation zones in red, warning civilians to leave ahead of further military action.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned that the fighting is taking place in heavily populated neighborhoods and has already resulted in civilian casualties and displacement. In a statement, the organization said the clashes have disrupted access to essential services and placed critical civilian infrastructure at risk.

Aleppo, Syria’s largest city before the civil war, has remained divided among competing forces for years. While the Syrian government regained control over most of the city in 2016, Kurdish-led SDF forces have maintained a presence in several northern districts.

There was no immediate comment from SDF officials regarding the Syrian army’s claims that its positions were being used to launch attacks on civilian areas.

Further escalation is expected as government forces continue operations and civilians attempt to flee contested zones.