SDF denies military presence in Aleppo
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Wednesday they have no military presence inside Aleppo city, stressing that they withdrew publicly and in front of media outlets under a clear agreement, handing over security responsibilities to the Internal Security Forces (Asayish).
The statement came in response to reports alleging SDF deployment in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods.
Since Tuesday, clashes have escalated across several Aleppo neighborhoods between Syrian government forces and the Asayish, intensifying on Wednesday and resulting in dozens of casualties, most of them civilians, according to local sources and human rights monitors.
In its official statement, the SDF said: “Recycling these false claims serves only to provide political and military cover for the ongoing brutal assault on safe residential areas.”
The SDF leadership emphasized that Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh have been under full siege by Damascus-backed factions for more than six months, adding that the neighborhoods pose no military threat and cannot serve as a launch point for attacks on Aleppo.
The statement further rejected accusations of planned military action from these districts, describing them as fabricated pretexts used to justify siege, bombardment, and civilian massacres.
The SDF called on guarantor states and relevant Syrian authorities to assume immediate responsibility and act to halt the siege, shelling, and military assault targeting civilians in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh.