Syrian Government and Kurdish Forces Agree to Calm Tensions After Deadly Aleppo Clashes

Post by : Saif Nasser

The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to reduce tensions in the northern city of Aleppo after a sudden outbreak of violence left civilians dead and many others injured. The agreement came late Monday after hours of fighting that caused fear across the city.

According to Syria’s state news agency, the army’s general command ordered its forces to stop targeting positions held by the SDF. Soon after, the SDF said it had also instructed its fighters to stop responding to attacks, following contacts aimed at calming the situation.

The clashes resulted in the deaths of at least two civilians, Syrian health officials said. Several others were wounded, including children and civil defense workers. Shelling hit residential neighborhoods, forcing families to stay indoors as explosions echoed across the city.

Both sides blamed each other for starting the violence. Syrian authorities said the SDF launched attacks on army and security forces in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah areas of Aleppo. The SDF rejected these claims and said the attacks were carried out by armed groups linked to the government, using tanks and heavy weapons in civilian areas.

Eyewitnesses described a frightening scene. Residents reported hearing constant artillery fire and seeing a large military presence across many parts of the city. One resident said the explosions were extremely loud and caused panic among families.

The fighting came just hours after Turkey’s foreign minister said the SDF was not honoring a deal to integrate into Syria’s national army by the end of the year. Turkey considers the SDF a terrorist group and has warned it may take military action if the integration does not happen.

The issue of integrating the SDF is one of Syria’s most sensitive challenges. The group gained strong control during the war as a key ally of the United States and now governs large areas in the northeast, including oil fields and prisons holding Islamic State fighters. The SDF fears losing its autonomy if it fully joins the state forces.

Failure to resolve this dispute could lead to more fighting and risk drawing in regional powers like Turkey. Many fear that renewed conflict could undo fragile progress after more than 14 years of war in Syria.

As a safety measure, Aleppo’s governor ordered all public and private schools, universities, and government offices in the city center to close on Tuesday. Authorities said the closures were needed to protect civilians and restore calm.

While the de-escalation agreement offers hope, the situation remains tense. Lasting peace will depend on trust, dialogue, and real steps to address long-standing political and security disagreements.