Syrian army retakes central Aleppo district from SDF forces
Syrian Army troops have largely seized control of the Ashrafieh neighborhood in central Aleppo from the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, according to military sources. Special forces have entered to conduct clearance operations, though clashes persist in parts of Ashrafieh and the adjacent Sheikh Maqsoud district.
The Syrian Army has achieved a major tactical advance in the divided city of Aleppo, retaking substantial control of the central Ashrafieh district from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Military sources report that army units entered the neighborhood from multiple directions—south, west, and north—effectively capturing the area that had been under SDF control, a group Damascus consistently labels as the terrorist PKK/YPG.
Security Forces Mobilize for Clearance and Return of Civilians
Following the military advance, specialized task force units from the Syrian Interior Ministry moved into Ashrafieh to begin detailed search and clearance operations. Aleppo Governor Azzam Gharib announced that internal security forces are preparing to deploy fully to both Ashrafieh and the neighboring Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. The stated objective is to fully secure these areas and facilitate the safe return of thousands of displaced residents to their homes, with official reports indicating 142,000 people have already been evacuated to safer zones in Aleppo.
Operation Triggered by SDF Attacks and Failed Agreement
This military operation was launched in direct response to sustained attacks by the SDF, which has targeted numerous locations in Aleppo from its enclaves since December 6. According to Syrian authorities, these attacks have resulted in nine civilian deaths and 55 injuries, most of them non-combatants. The escalation follows the collapse of a political agreement signed on March 10, which envisioned the SDF's integration into state institutions to preserve Syria's territorial unity. Damascus claims the SDF failed to honor the accord and continued its assaults, forcing the army's retaliatory action.
Advertisement
Ongoing Clashes in a Strategic Urban Battlefield
Despite the reported capture of Ashrafieh, the situation remains fluid and contested. Clashes between army units and SDF fighters continue in some sectors of Ashrafieh and across the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. The battle for control of these districts represents a critical phase in the Syrian government's efforts to reassert its authority over all of Aleppo, Syria's largest city and a key strategic prize, following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024.
Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.