Residents have begun to come back to a contested area in Aleppo, Syria’s northern city, following recent clashes between government troops and Kurdish-led forces. Emergency responders have entered the neighborhood to assist residents, clear debris, and deactivate mines.
The conflict erupted in Kurdish-dominated areas like Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh, and Bani Zaid after the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the primary Kurdish-led faction in the nation, could not reach an agreement on integrating the SDF into the national army. Security forces have since taken control of Achrafieh and Bani Zaid.
The skirmishes between the two factions marked the fiercest fighting since the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad by rebels in December 2024. The clashes, lasting five days, claimed the lives of at least 23 individuals, with over 140,000 people displaced due to bombardments and drone attacks.
Kurdish fighters have relocated from Sheikh Maqsoud to northeastern Syria, an area under SDF control. Despite evacuating the wounded and civilians, the fighters have declared their intention to continue combat in what they termed a “partial ceasefire.”
The situation in the neighborhood appeared tranquil on Sunday. Government security forces accompanied journalists on a tour of the ravaged region, showcasing the damaged Khalid al-Fajer Hospital and an SDF military post targeted by government troops.
While the SDF alleged that the government repeatedly struck the hospital before patients were evacuated, Damascus accused the Kurdish-led group of using the hospital and other civilian structures for military purposes.
Residents, surrounded by burnt vehicles and heavily damaged residences, recounted their harrowing experiences to Syrian Red Crescent first responders. Some residents claimed that SDF forces prevented them from passing through checkpoints to depart the area.
Syrian Civil Defence teams are working to deactivate makeshift mines left behind by Kurdish forces as traps. Displaced residents are barred from returning until all mines are cleared, evoking memories of displacement during Syria’s prolonged civil war.
“I want to go back to my home, I beg you,” pleaded Hoda Alnasiri, echoing the sentiments of many eager to return to their homes.