ALEPPO, Syria
Fighting erupted again in Aleppo on Thursday after a short-lived ceasefire between Syrian government forces and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) collapsed, threatening to escalate tensions in northern Syria and deepen the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The temporary truce, announced earlier this week, was intended to allow for the withdrawal of Kurdish fighters from contested neighborhoods including Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid. Syrian authorities demanded that SDF fighters leave with only light personal weapons and relocate to areas under Kurdish control in northeastern Syria. However, Kurdish leaders rejected the conditions, calling them a “call to surrender,” and hostilities resumed almost immediately.
Syrian government forces responded by resuming artillery strikes and urban combat in the affected districts. Smoke and explosions were reported throughout the neighborhoods, prompting thousands of civilians to flee their homes in search of safety. Humanitarian groups estimate that more than 140,000 people have been displaced since the clashes began earlier this week, with multiple casualties reported.
The failed ceasefire is part of ongoing efforts to implement a March 2025 framework agreement, which envisioned integrating SDF units into the Syrian state security apparatus. However, distrust between Damascus and Kurdish authorities has persisted, undermining attempts at a lasting settlement. Analysts say the collapse of the truce highlights the fragility of peace arrangements in Syria, particularly in strategically significant areas like Aleppo.
The United States, which has supported the SDF in the fight against ISIS, called for an immediate return to negotiations and urged both sides to protect civilians. U.S. officials emphasized that continued clashes risk further destabilization of the region and complicate broader diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syrian conflict.
Regional powers, including Turkey, have also weighed in. Ankara, which views SDF forces as linked to groups it considers terrorist organizations, has warned that ongoing hostilities near its border could lead to increased instability and potential military intervention.
For Aleppo residents, the brief moment of calm has vanished, replaced by the sounds of gunfire and airstrikes. International observers continue to push for de-escalation, but with entrenched positions on both sides, prospects for immediate peace remain uncertain. As the situation develops, the humanitarian impact grows, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire of yet another chapter in Syria’s long-running conflict.
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