SDF attacks continue for third day in Aleppo, displacing thousands

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an organization Türkiye identifies as the Syrian offshoot of the PKK/YPG terrorist group, continued its assault on residential neighborhoods in Aleppo for a third straight day on Thursday. Syrian state media reported new shelling in the Lairamoun area and Shihan traffic circle, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis in northern Syria.

Mounting Civilian Toll

The renewed violence has resulted in at least six deaths and 39 injuries since Tuesday, according to local reports. Civil defense teams have been evacuating civilians from the Ashrafiyah and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods via Al-Zohour Street. The provincial administration has extended the suspension of classes at all schools and universities in Aleppo due to the ongoing security threat.

Broken Agreements and Displacement

Syrian authorities report that over 3,000 civilians have been displaced by the recent SDF attacks. This escalation starkly contradicts the terms of an integration agreement signed on March 10, 2025, which aimed to fold the SDF into state institutions and preserve Syria's territorial unity. Damascus has repeatedly accused the group of failing to implement the deal's provisions.

Regional Security Implications

The persistent instability in Aleppo, a major Syrian city, underscores the continued threat posed by the PKK/YPG network to regional security. These developments directly impact Türkiye's national security, as Ankara has long warned that the group's presence near its border fuels violence and undermines efforts for a stable, unified Syria. Türkiye maintains that eliminating all terrorist elements is essential for lasting peace.