Syrian army and Kurdish forces exchange strikes east of Aleppo after 15 days of clashes

Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have been clashing in and around Aleppo for 15 days , since the violence began on December 30, 2025 . While the first five days saw intense fighting, sporadic skirmishes and drone strikes continued along eastern Aleppo’s frontlines.

The conflict erupted amid mutual accusations. Aleppo Governor Azzam Ghareeb said, “The SDF continues to threaten civilians and disrupt peace in Aleppo. Our forces are responding to these provocations to restore security.” The SDF denied responsibility for initiating hostilities. Elham Ahmad, a senior SDF official, said, “Government forces shelled our districts without warning, targeting civilians and forcing our fighters to defend themselves. We did not start this conflict.”

The Syrian army declared Maskana and Deir Hafer (eastern Aleppo province, northeastern Syria) a “closed military zone” and demanded that Kurdish forces withdraw east of the Euphrates(major river). Both sides have used drones, artillery, and rockets , and the SDF reportedly destroyed several bridges in the area to limit movement. Eastern Aleppo remains a volatile dividing line between Damascus-controlled territory and SDF-held areas.

The first week of clashes displaced tens of thousands . Kurdish fighters withdrew from contested districts including Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid over the weekend of January 3-4, allowing the government to regain control. Hundreds of residents have begun returning, though security remains tight and infrastructure damaged.

Protests erupted in Kurdish-majority cities like Qamishli, with demonstrators denouncing both Damascus and Turkey , accusing the government of betraying Kurdish rights and failing to implement political agreements.

The clashes stem from a stalled plan to integrate the SDF into the national army. In March 2025, interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa signed a deal for Kurdish fighters to merge with government forces by the end of 2025, but disagreements over implementation persist. Some units of the newly formed army were formerly Turkiye-backed insurgent groups with a history of fighting Kurdish forces.

The SDF has been a key U.S. partner against ISIS , though Turkiye considers it a terrorist organization for links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Washington has urged both sides to de-escalate and adhere to ceasefire agreements. Turkey has also offered to assist stabilization in Aleppo while maintaining warnings about the SDF.

Humanitarian concerns remain high, with aid groups reporting civilian casualties, infrastructure damage, and unexploded ordnance. The clashes highlight the fragility of ceasefires and deep mistrust between Damascus and northeastern Syria, showing how unresolved political agreements and competing claims of provocation continue to threaten civilians and regional stability.