Syrian Army accuses SDF of using human shields in Aleppo clashes
Syrian military sources claim YPG/SDF forces have trapped civilians in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood, using them as human shields during attacks. The allegations follow reported assaults on residential areas and security forces, causing casualties and displacement.
The Syrian Army has accused the YPG/SDF of employing civilians as human shields during recent military operations in Aleppo, according to statements carried by state media on Friday. Army reconnaissance drones allegedly observed fighters from the group blocking exits and terrorizing residents in the city's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood to prevent their escape. A military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that these measures aimed to use civilians as protection during attacks on Syrian Army and internal security positions.
Allegations of Violence Against Civilians
An intelligence source speaking to Alikhbariya TV provided further details, alleging that SDF elements assaulted families attempting to flee the area and killed four Kurdish youths who refused to join hostilities against the state. The source also claimed the group set fire to homes belonging to families who had already departed. These reported actions contradict the terms of a March 10, 2025, integration agreement between the SDF and the Syrian state, which authorities say the group has since failed to implement.
Escalating Attacks Across Aleppo
Media reports outlined a series of alleged SDF attacks over recent days. These included targeting an ambulance, wounding a paramedic, and striking a security patrol near al-Rahman Mosque. A suicide drone reportedly hit a residential building in the New Aleppo district, causing material damage. The assaults, allegedly employing Iranian-made drones and heavy weapons, extended to Syrian army positions near Deir Hafer and in the eastern Aleppo countryside, resulting in at least one soldier injured.
Humanitarian Impact and Displacement
The violence has reportedly taken a significant civilian toll since Tuesday. According to reports, the shelling of residential neighborhoods and civilian facilities has resulted in nine fatalities and 55 injuries. The attacks have also triggered the displacement of approximately 165,000 residents from the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods. These developments occur as the Syrian government continues security efforts across the country following the political transition in late 2024.
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