Syrian authorities have imposed a sweeping curfew across several districts of Aleppo as clashes intensify between government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), triggering mass displacement and civilian casualties.
The Aleppo Internal Security Command said on Thursday that a curfew has been imposed “until further notice” in the neighbourhoods of Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, Bani Zeid, al-Siryan, al-Hullok, and al-Midan.
In a statement carried by Syria’s state news agency SANA, the command said the measure was aimed at ensuring civilian safety and maintaining order amid deteriorating security conditions.
Strict movement ban enforced
Authorities said all movement is strictly prohibited in the affected neighbourhoods during the curfew period. No exceptions will be allowed, according to the statement.
Officials warned that the restrictions are part of ongoing security procedures to prevent violations that could threaten lives and property.
More than 100,000 civilians have fled their homes in Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud since clashes erupted earlier this week, the director of Aleppo’s media department told Al Jazeera.
Residents described scenes of fear and chaos. Rana Issa, 43, who fled Ashrafieh under sniper fire, told AFP that many families want to leave but are terrified of being shot.
Deadly toll mounts in Aleppo
At least 22 people have been killed and 173 others wounded in Aleppo this week, according to Syrian military sources.
The Syrian army has accused the SDF of targeting civilian neighbourhoods with artillery and mortar shells. The Kurdish-led force has denied the allegations.
SDF rejects govt accusations
The SDF said the casualties were caused by what it described as “indiscriminate” artillery and missile shelling by government-aligned factions.
The group has blamed forces loyal to Damascus for escalating the violence and endangering civilians.
Late on Thursday, Syria’s Ministry of Interior said government forces began deploying in Ashrafieh following the withdrawal of armed groups affiliated with the SDF.
In a statement shared by SANA, the ministry said the units were tasked with protecting civilians and preventing disorder, in coordination with Syrian army units stationed in the area.
Hospitals overwhelmed
Reporting from an Aleppo hospital on Thursday evening, Al Jazeera correspondent Resul Serdar said heavy shelling could be heard as medical workers struggled to treat the wounded.
“The situation is escalating further and further,” Serdar said, describing the fighting as the fiercest Aleppo has seen since the removal of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The clashes come as negotiations over implementing a March 2025 agreement to integrate the SDF into Syria’s state institutions stalled.
The SDF controls large areas of northern and northeastern Syria, making its reintegration a key challenge for the post-Assad government.
SDF commander warns talks at risk
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, also known as Mazloum Kobani, said the violence in Aleppo has undermined negotiations with Damascus, now led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
He said the deployment of tanks, artillery shelling, and the displacement of civilians during talks have weakened the chances of reaching an understanding.
Armenak Tokmajyan, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Center, told Al Jazeera that reintegrating Kurdish-led forces cannot be achieved through force alone.
He said the government needs an inclusive national framework outlining the future direction of Syria, noting that many armed groups are reluctant to disarm due to uncertainty about the post-Assad state.
