Syrian Army clears more than 90% of Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in operations against YPG/SDF: Report

​​​​​​​By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Syrian Army “has completed combing more than 90% of Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood,” during operations against the YPG/SDF terror organization, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Saturday, citing military sources.

An earlier SANA report said operations faced difficulties due to the “use of civilians as human shields by the SDF organization and their entrenchment in residents' homes,” adding that the army has also arrested several SDF members.

The Defense Ministry announced earlier that operations in the neighborhood are being carried out slowly and carefully because the terror group is using civilians as “human shields,” according to SANA.

The ministry said the YPG/SDF is using the tactic against military operations in the Maqsoud district, and therefore, the army is conducting missions “slowly and with extreme caution” to prevent harm to residents.

It added that during search operations, heavy weapons belonging to the terror group were seized.

The Syrian Army said late Friday it began an operation in the neighborhood against the YPG/SDF after all deadlines granted to the group to withdraw from the area expired.