Unhealing wound in Syria’s Aleppo trade hub: PKK/YPG

​​​​​​​By Ethem Emre Ozcan and Seda Sevencan

DAMASCUS/ISTANBUL (AA) - The PKK/YPG terror group, which is entrenched in some strategic neighborhoods in Aleppo’s city center, has become a major obstacle to the city’s efforts to reclaim its status as Syria's commercial capital.

In 2012, the deposed Baath regime handed parts of northern Syria to the PKK/YPG in exchange for the terror group’s non-engagement in armed conflict against it. The terrorists then used Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods as a base for operations.

The terror group expanded its control through those neighborhoods, increasing its occupation and territorial influence with logistical and weapons support.

Controlling nearly one-third of the country, the PKK/YPG maintained strategic relations with deposed regime forces while imposing pressure on civilians in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh.

Engaging in crimes such as murder, kidnapping and forced conscription, the terrorists also extorted money from businesses under the guise of taxation. Reports have documented the forced recruitment of children, abducted from schools in Aleppo.

The PKK/YPG continues to reinforce its occupation and implements policies designed to force dissenters to flee neighborhoods.

- Regime-PKK/YPG collaboration continued during 2016 Aleppo siege

In 2016, the PKK/YPG provided strategic support through Sheikh Maqsoud to help the regime and Russia encircle and capture Aleppo.

The group played a role in the regime’s siege of opposition-controlled neighborhoods in Aleppo’s city center, which began in early 2016.

Following a period of intense blockades and attacks, opposition forces were forced to withdraw from the city’s center in December 2016.

- Pretending to withdraw but re-emerging

Last year, after opposition armed groups entered Aleppo, regime forces withdrew from certain strategic locations in the city, handing them to the PKK/YPG, further highlighting their collaboration.

The latest example of the cooperation was when regime forces transferred control of key locations, including the Aleppo International Airport, to PKK/YPG.

As the Baath regime collapsed within two weeks, opposition forces first seized control of areas the regime had left to the terrorists.

Although the PKK/YPG appeared to have withdrawn from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, the terror group instead went underground. Later, taking advantage of security forces being preoccupied with operations in other parts of the country, the terrorists resurfaced.

As deposed regime elements launched attacks in the coastal regions, PKK/YPG simultaneously attempted attacks on military forces in Aleppo.

- PKK/YPG threatens civilian security

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the PKK/YPG, which continues to occupy more than one-third of Syria, has become a threat to civilian security in parts of Aleppo.

Many roads and intersections in the city center have become unusable due to attacks by the group. Warning signs have been posted at routes leading to the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods.

Signs read: “This road leads to Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) (PKK/YPG), be cautious!” The terror group also enforces checkpoints at entrances to Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, monitoring and controlling access.

- Efforts to disrupt peace, stability in Aleppo

Rejecting the government’s new policy that only the state should control weapons, PKK/YPG terrorists continue to conduct actions that threaten security and stability in Aleppo, which is expected to regain its role as Syria’s commercial capital.

During the period when remnants of the ousted regime mobilized, the terror group attempted an attack through Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. The army responded and thwarted the attack.

After the fall of the Baath regime, security forces intercepted vehicle-borne explosives originating from PKK/YPG-occupied areas in Aleppo, preventing terror attacks.

- PKK/YPG killed at least 65 civilians in 2 months

The terror group has increased pressure on civilians through sniper attacks and armed assaults aimed at instilling fear.

A report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) on PKK/YPG threats to civilians in Aleppo confirmed that the group, operating under the name Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), had positioned snipers at several locations surrounding Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud.

According to the report, between Nov. 30 and Jan. 30, 2025, sniper attacks killed at least 65 civilians.

Khalifa Jabbar, a resident near Sheikh Maqsoud, told Anadolu: "We face great difficulty entering and exiting Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud. We must adhere to specific time restrictions -- if you're late, you can't go home."

Jabbar said many people, who mistakenly entered these neighborhoods, were targeted by sniper fire, with vehicles also coming under attack.

Muhammed Najjar also criticized PKK/YPG. "During the early days of the regime’s downfall, PKK/YPG militants targeted civilians in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. I tell those around me not to take routes leading to these neighborhoods. Warning signs have been posted by the local administration, but that is not enough,” he said.

Najjar urged more preventive measures:

"Checkpoints should be set up on roads leading to the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods, and if necessary, the roads should be blocked with earth barriers, as many people have been killed or taken captive," he said.​​​​​​​