Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo under siege amid armed faction mobilizations
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Co-Chair of the Kurdish Neighborhoods Council in Aleppo, Hevin Suleiman, told North Press on Saturday that Kurdish neighborhoods in the city are experiencing a “state of siege” as undisciplined armed factions mobilize and deploy forces, while the Syrian government remains silent.
“Despite the agreement, the Damascus government remains silent,” Suleiman said. “No statement or justification has been provided.”
She raised concerns over recent military movements around the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, questioning, “Why are armed factions mobilizing forces?”
According to Suleiman, in recent days, the neighborhoods have been encircled by factions coming from Aleppo and the Afrin region that do not operate under the Syrian Ministry of Defense.
She added that these groups have established dozens of positions around the neighborhoods, including inside schools, hospitals, mosques, and other strategic civilian sites.
Suleiman emphasized that binding ceasefire agreements exist across Syria, including the April 1 accord, which explicitly prohibits any armed displays within Aleppo’s neighborhoods by any party.
In April, Badran Chiya Kurd, a senior AANES official announced the signing of a broad administrative, security, and service agreement between the council of Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo and the transitional government. The agreement affirms the distinct status of the Kurdish neighborhoods, protecting their security, administrative, service, cultural, and political identity. It also outlines mechanisms for collaboration with the relevant security and service institutions in Aleppo to ensure its successful implementation.
She further explained that ongoing coordination efforts are in place, and the agreement remains active between the administrations of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh and representatives of the Syrian government in Aleppo Governorate. “So, what is the justification for these mobilizations? Until now, we do not know.”
Suleiman called on the Syrian transitional government and the Ministry of Defense to assume their responsibilities and fully implement the agreement signed between SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi and Syrian government official Ahmad al-Sharaa.
The Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud host tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Afrin, who were forced to flee their homes following Turkey’s 2018 military offensive, “Operation Olive Branch,” alongside its affiliated armed factions. These neighborhoods remain under the control of the AANES and its security wing, the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish).
Reporting by Malin Mohammed