Kurdish Areas in Aleppo Face Evacuations Ahead of Airstrikes

The Syrian army has urged residents in Kurdish regions of Aleppo to evacuate in anticipation of airstrikes. In the meantime, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have declared a victory in the ongoing conflict over the city.

Since mid-December, Aleppo has experienced heightened tensions, particularly between Kurdish forces and the regime led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda member. A recent altercation at a security checkpoint intensified the situation.

The SDF, a crucial ally to the U.S. in combating the Islamic State, seeks greater autonomy from Sharaa’s regime, which came to power following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The SDF claims an autonomous region that encompasses parts of northeastern Syria and Aleppo, the area’s key city. Their internal police, known as Asayish, patrols Kurdish-majority parts of the city. The checkpoint where fighting initiated in December was managed by both Syrian troops and Asayish, with each side blaming the other for starting the altercation.

Initially, there seemed to be a stabilization in Aleppo at the beginning of December, but a new wave of fighting erupted on Tuesday, leading to the displacement of thousands and resulting in at least four fatalities. Many Kurdish civilians were observed fleeing Aleppo towards Afrin, perceived as a safer enclave.

As before, accusations have been traded between the Syrian army and the Self-Defense Forces regarding the resurgence of hostilities. The Syrian army alleged that the SDF was using civilians as shields, while simultaneously posting videos that appeared to show Syrian forces targeting civilian properties and medical facilities in Aleppo.

In contrast to earlier skirmishes that subsided, the recent clashes have intensified. On Thursday, the Syrian army declared its intention to remove all Kurdish forces from Aleppo. However, officials from the SDF and Asayish asserted that, after three days of conflict, they were starting to push back against government forces and retake control over Kurdish territories in the city.

The Asayish movement reported that “indiscriminate and brutal attacks” from government forces in two Kurdish districts of Aleppo resulted in a death toll of at least 12 and left 64 people injured, with many civilians reportedly trapped under debris from buildings severely damaged by relentless shelling from tanks, artillery, and drones.

The Syrian army responded by claiming its bombarded locations in Aleppo were “legitimate military targets” and mentioned plans for a broader operation soon. They have also opened “humanitarian corridors” aimed at evacuating civilians from conflict zones.

Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, expressed “deep concern” regarding developments in Aleppo, emphasizing calls for all parties to prioritize civilian protection amidst the violence. He noted that while Syria has made “historic progress” towards stability post-civil war, lingering scars from the conflict will require time to heal.

Ambassador Barrack offered U.S. support in diffusing tensions and urged a cooperative approach from the Syrian government, local Kurdish authorities, and all involved armed groups to halt hostilities. He framed the current moment as critical and emphasized the need to unite against external threats that may undermine recent achievements in the region.

It remains uncertain how Turkey fits into this dynamic. The Turkish government regards Syrian Kurdish militias as a national security risk and supports the new Damascus regime’s attempts to neutralize the SDF’s influence.

On Thursday, the Turkish Ministry of Defense expressed readiness to assist the Syrian army in counter-terrorism efforts in Aleppo, underscoring that all military actions thus far have been conducted exclusively by Syrian forces. Should Syria request assistance, Turkey is prepared to provide the necessary support.

In response to the situation, protests occurred in Turkey, including large demonstrations in Diyarbakir and smaller gatherings in Istanbul aimed at opposing the Syrian government’s actions in Aleppo. A rally in Istanbul was dispersed by riot police, resulting in approximately 25 arrests when demonstrators displayed a large banner featuring Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, which the Turkish government classifies as a terrorist group.

In Ankara, members of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party protested outside parliament against the attacks on Kurds in Aleppo, labeling them crimes against humanity. They also condemned police actions against the Istanbul protesters, describing them as “unacceptable” and “brutal.”