UPDATE - Syrian Army completes sweep of Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo amid escalation with YPG/SDF terror group

UPDATES WITH ALEPPO GOVERNOR'S STATEMENT; ADDS BACKGROUND

By Rania Abushamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Syrian Army announced Saturday the completion of a full security sweep of the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in the northern city of Aleppo amid escalation with the YPG/SDF terror group​​​​​​.

The Syrian Army’s Operations Command urged civilians in the neighborhood “to remain in their homes and not go outside, due to SDF and PKK terrorist elements hiding among them,” the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

It added that civilians can reach out to forces on the ground for emergencies or to report the presence of suspects.

Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib said the relevant authorities “are continuing their field operations around the clock to stabilize security and ensure the return of normal life in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods.”

“The relevant authorities are continuing their field operations around the clock to stabilize security and ensure the return of normal life in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods,” al-Gharib said through US social media company X.

In a post on US social media company X, he urged residents to comply with official instructions, saying: “We call on our citizens to fully adhere to the instructions issued by the competent authorities.”

Al-Gharib confirmed that movement restrictions remain in place, noting: “We affirm the continuation of the curfew in the areas announced by the Operations Command until further directives are issued.”

He also addressed displaced residents, saying: “We ask our displaced citizens not to head to the mentioned neighborhoods at the present time, except after prior coordination with the Aleppo Response Committee, in order to ensure their safety and organize their safe return.”

Since Tuesday, the YPG/SDF terror group has shelled residential neighborhoods, civilian facilities, and Syrian Army positions in Aleppo.

The attacks have killed nine people and wounded 55 others, and triggered the displacement of about 165,000 residents from the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods.

On March 10, 2025, the Syrian presidency announced the signing of an agreement for the SDF’s integration into state institutions, reaffirming the country's territorial unity and rejecting any attempts at division.

Authorities said, in the months since, the YPG/SDF has not shown any efforts to meet the terms of the agreement.

The government has intensified efforts to maintain security across the country since the ouster of the Assad regime in December 2024, after 24 years in power.