SDF reports 59 civilian casualties in Aleppo shelling, siege
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Wednesday that at least seven civilians were killed and 52 others wounded in continued shelling on the Kurdish Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods of Aleppo, Syria, amid an ongoing military escalation.
In its daily update dated Jan. 7, 2026, the SDF said the attacks were carried out by factions affiliated with the Damascus government and involved tank fire and drone strikes.
It added that the casualty figures remain non-final as the bombardment continues.
The SDF pointed out that the two neighborhoods remain under a full siege, with the entry of food, medical supplies, and essential goods blocked, significantly worsening humanitarian conditions and placing the lives of thousands of civilians at risk.
According to field reports cited by the SDF, more than 80 tanks and heavy military vehicles have been deployed around Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, describing the buildup as a serious warning sign of a potential large-scale military escalation.
The statement warned that the continued siege and military deployments raise concerns about the outbreak of a wider conflict, particularly in light of what it described as ongoing international silence regarding the situation in Aleppo.