By Enes Canli
ALEPPO, Syria (AA) - Life is gradually returning to normal in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighbourhoods of Syria's northern Aleppo city, which were recently liberated from the occupation of the terrorist organization YPG/SDF.
After years of occupation, the Syrian Army freed Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah from YPG/SDF control on Jan. 10.
The clearing of these two neighborhoods marked a turning point in removing the terror group from the territories it had seized.
Following the withdrawal from these neighborhoods, the terrorist group rapidly lost control over 40% of the lands it had seized in northeastern Syria.
Located near central Aleppo, Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah are known for hosting low-income Christians, Kurds, and Syrians from various ethnic backgrounds who were displaced by the Syrian civil war.
These neighborhoods bear scars of destruction caused both by attacks from the Baath regime and by conflicts arising from the terrorist organization turning the area into a stronghold.
As in many other parts of Syria, entering these neighborhoods requires passing through checkpoints established by Syrian security forces. Buildings show evidence of barricades built by the terror group, often stacked with sandbags on multiple floors.
Cables strung between buildings on either side of the street for temporary electricity solutions resemble spider webs.
Life has visibly returned to normal in Sheikh Maqsoud since its liberation on Jan. 10. Street vendors shout to attract customers, horns and music fill the air, and the bustle of shoppers can be heard.
Residents told Anadolu that conditions have improved since the area was freed from the terror group, fears have diminished, and security has been restored.
Like in other areas freed from the terrorist organization, Syrians still express concern about potential attacks and are calling on the government to help resolve local issues.
Duha Salahaddin Ammuri, a dental assistant in Sheikh Maqsoud, said conditions in the neighborhood have improved since liberation.
Ammuri said that people have begun returning to their homes, and security has been restored, noting that no major chaos occurred, despite expectations of bigger unrest, and the situation was under control.
He said some thefts had occurred, but the perpetrators were known, adding that they were very happy to be reintegrated with their region in Aleppo, and added: “On behalf of the people here, my neighbors and I all love the Kurds. We always tell our Kurdish neighbors, 'If someone disturbs you, let us know.'"
“Recently, we had no electricity or water and could not leave the neighborhood. Now, we are living together on a single territory again,” Ammuri said.
He also called on the Syrian government for "further clearing" of remaining threats, stressing that reconstruction will begin across Syria. Reflecting on a childhood overshadowed by crisis, she said it is now their duty to help build the “new Syria.”
She expressed optimism for Syria's future and highlighted new regulations in her sector, calling on Syrians worldwide to return home and participate in rebuilding the country.
- ‘We hope it will get even better’
Veys Khalil Mahmud said he used to live in fear in the neighborhood but now feels at peace, and added: "Security is now restored, services are being provided to the area, and we hope it will get even better."
Mahmud noted that the neighborhood’s needs are no different from the rest of Syria, emphasizing that necessities such as electricity and bread are being provided.
He underlined that during the occupation by the terror group, nothing was provided, and “the situation was very bad, and no one cared about people's problems.”
Hamid Gazal, who runs a restaurant near Aleppo Citadel, said residents took shelter in the neighborhood following attacks by the Baath regime, adding that while the area was once marked by fear and uncertainty, the security situation has now significantly improved.
Some residents, however, were reluctant to speak on camera, fearing retaliation from remnants of the terrorist organization. They expressed concern that, as in other areas freed from the YPG/SDF, the group could carry out attacks using car bombs.
Residents hope the new administration will improve the current situation in terms of security, economy, health, and education, and they called on the Syrian government to address infrastructure problems such as electricity, water, and internet.
- Developments in Syria
The Syrian Army forces carried out operations in northeastern Syria after the SDF failed to comply with provisions of a ceasefire agreement. The terror group was required to withdraw military formations east of the Euphrates River and hand over administrative and security control of the Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor provinces to the Syrian government under the deal.
The agreement also mandated that all border crossings and energy resources would come under central government authority, with SDF personnel individually integrated into the Syrian defense and interior ministries following vetting.
The Defense Ministry announced a four-day ceasefire Tuesday with the SDF "in line with the understandings announced by the Syrian state with the SDF" and "out of keenness to ensure the success of the national efforts being made."
The SDF is dominated by the YPG, the Syrian branch of the PKK terror group.