Thousands flee clashes between Syrian government and Kurdish fighters in Aleppo

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete January 7, 2026 at 09:33 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters in Aleppo have resulted in at least 12 deaths and forced tens of thousands of residents to flee the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods on Wednesday. The Syrian army shelled these Kurdish-majority areas, designating them as "closed military areas" in response to alleged attacks by armed groups, claiming the operation aimed to preserve security. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) denies military presence in Aleppo and accuses the government of forced displacement. The violence highlights ongoing tensions despite a March 2025 agreement for the SDF to integrate into the Syrian state, with both sides accusing each other of hindering the deal. The situation also risks involving Turkey, which backs the Syrian government and views the SDF as a terrorist organization.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Bashar al-Assad 40% Islamic State (IS) 40% Turkey 50% Ahmad al-Sharaa 50% Sheikh Maqsoud ×270% Syria ×270% Ashrafieh ×380% Kurdish Fighters 80% Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ×485% Syrian Government ×490% Aleppo ×5100%

Keywords

aleppo 100% syrian government 90% clashes 90% kurdish fighters 80% ashrafieh 80% displaced civilians 70% syrian democratic forces 70% military operation 60% civil war 50% sheikh maqsoud 50%