DAMASCUS, Syria: Syria’s army said on Saturday it had completed a “security sweep” of the Sheikh Maqsud neighbourhood in Aleppo district after clashes with Kurdish forces, though the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) rejected the claims.
Government forces began striking Sheikh Maqsud overnight after a deadline for Kurdish fighters to withdraw expired under a ceasefire arrangement. The army said the operation aimed to restore security in the district.
In a statement carried by state media, the army announced the “completion of a full security sweep of the Sheikh Maqsud neighbourhood,” while urging residents to remain indoors due to the continued presence of Kurdish fighters.
A military source earlier told the official SANA news agency that “a number of SDF members” had been arrested during the operation.
However, Kurdish forces dismissed government claims as “false and misleading,” saying clashes were still under way.
They reported street fighting with what they described as “government militias” and accused government forces of carrying out artillery fire amounting to “systematic criminal conduct aimed at spreading terror.”
In a separate statement, Syria’s defence ministry called on “armed elements” in the district to “surrender themselves and their weapons immediately.”
Deaths and displacement
The fighting in Syria’s second-largest city erupted after negotiations stalled over integrating the Kurds’ administration and military forces into the country’s new government.
Since clashes began on Tuesday, at least 21 civilians have been killed, according to figures cited by both sides. Tens of thousands of residents have fled Aleppo.
Syrian authorities had announced a window early Friday for Kurdish fighters to withdraw, but Kurdish forces refused.
The army then warned it would resume strikes on military targets and urged civilians to evacuate ahead of takeover by security forces.
Flights at Aleppo airport were suspended, with the closure extended until late Saturday.
‘Fierce’ resistance
Kurdish forces said they were facing artillery and drone attacks and claimed on social media that they were mounting a “fierce and ongoing resistance.”
The Syrian army said three of its soldiers had been killed in the clashes. State television reported that Kurdish fighters have launched drones at residential areas of Aleppo.
The SDF controls large parts of Syria’s oil-rich north and northeast and played a key role in the 2019 defeat of the Daesh group.
