Conflicting accounts emerge after shelling escalates in Aleppo’s Kurdish neighborhoods
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Conflicting narratives emerged on Tuesday following a sharp escalation in shelling affecting the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh in the northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo.
The Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that a shell fired by factions affiliated with the Damascus government veered off course and landed in the adjacent al-Midan neighborhood instead of Sheikh Maqsoud.
The SDF described the incident as indiscriminate shelling that directly targeted residential areas and posed a serious threat to civilians’ lives, accusing the responsible party of violating international humanitarian law.
In a separate statement, the Aleppo Media Directorate of the transitional government accused the SDF of targeting an area near the Shihan Roundabout, describing the incident as a breach of existing agreements.
According to the statement, the attack resulted in the death of one member of the Ministry of Defense and the injury of three others.
The directorate urged residents to avoid contact lines and disperse gatherings near the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods until the area is fully secured, calling for cooperation with security forces and police.
Local sources in Sheikh Maqsoud reported an increase in the intensity of shelling, saying at least 10 shells fell in different parts of the neighborhood, heightening fears among civilians.
State-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that one Syrian soldier was killed and three others wounded in a drone strike carried out by the SDF targeting the Shihan Roundabout.
The escalation comes amid fragile security arrangements around Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, which have repeatedly witnessed clashes, shelling, and accusations between the SDF and government-affiliated forces, raising concerns over civilian safety in densely populated areas.