Background
10 March agreement
During the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Turkey and its affiliated militant group, the Syrian National Army, launched various offensives against Kurdish-controlled areas east of the Euphrates. Following months of fighting, which stalled near the Tishrin Dam, and an SDF counteroffensive in December 2024, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi and Syrian transitional government leader Ahmed al-Sharaa signed the U.S.-backed 10 March agreement, [e] which implemented a country-wide ceasefire and laid out principles for the integration of the DAANES into the new Syrian government. [9] [10] [11] It envisaged equal representation for minorities in the political process and proposed integrating the SDF's military and civilian structures into the new Syrian state, while allowing the SDF to retain de facto control over border posts and oil fields in Kurdish areas. [12] A follow-up agreement in April, which was reportedly also brokered with American involvement, established a joint security framework for the Kurdish enclaves in Sheikh Maqsood and al-Ashrafiyah, Aleppo. The neighborhoods remained under the control of the Asayish and several smaller Aleppo-based Kurdish groups. [13]
Delays in implementing the 10 March agreement, with both sides accusing each other of obstruction, along with the cancellation of the SDF–Syria talks in Paris on 25 July and again on 9–10 August, heightened hostilities between the AANES and the Syrian government, which, according to Hawar News Agency and the Institute for the Study of War, was facing increasing Turkish pressure. [14] [15] [16] [17]
Earlier tensions and blockade of SDF-controlled neighborhoods in Aleppo
In the beginning of July 2025, tensions in Aleppo increased when government forces blocked fuel supplies from reaching the Kurdish-majority and SDF-controlled neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and al-Ashrafiyah. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the blockade as a continuation of "old regime tactics." [18] In August, Nouri Sheikho, Deputy Head of the General Council of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh, told Kurdistan24 that tensions had risen in recent days following the "Unity of Components" conference in Hasakah. [19]
Government reinforcements were subsequently regularly deployed to the vicinity of Sheikh Maqsood and al-Ashrafiyah in what was described as a "show-of-force operation" intended to raise fears of a possible field escalation. [20]
By the beginning of October, Kurdish news outlets reported that the Syrian Army had escalated measures by constructing earthen barriers and blocking roads on the outskirts of Sheikh Maqsood and al-Ashrafiyah, as well as barricading streets and establishing positions inside residential buildings. [21] [22] [23] The SOHR confirmed the Syrian army's military buildup near the neighbourhoods. [24]
Clashes briefly erupted on 5-7 October and resulted in 3 deaths and over 26 injuries. [25]
Clashes
On 22 December 2025, clashes erupted between Syrian transitional government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Syrian government stated that SDF units had targeted a checkpoint in Aleppo, injuring two civil defense personnel. In response, the SDF alleged that a Syrian government attack wounded two members of the Asayish. [26]
The clashes began during a visit by a high-level Turkish delegation to Damascus, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense as well as the head of intelligence, and shortly before the reported end-of-year deadline for implementing the 10 March agreement. [25]
Fighting initially involved small arms before escalating to artillery and medium- and heavy-weapons fire. SDF attacks reportedly affected several neighborhoods, including al-Jamiliya, Bustan al-Basha, al-Midan, al-Suryan, and al-Sabil, with snipers active near the al-Layramoun and al-Shayhan roundabouts in northern Aleppo. One mortar shell reportedly landed near al-Razi hospital. These areas are adjacent to Sheikh Maqsood and al-Ashrafiyah, where SDF forces maintain a strong presence. [27]
According to Syrian state media, SDF units attempted to advance on government security positions, described as a "new violation" of the ceasefire agreement. The clashes also led to the closure of all access routes to Sheikh Maqsood and al-Ashrafiyah. Following the fighting, local authorities raised the readiness of emergency, disaster, health, and social services, advising residents to remain indoors. [27] Aleppo governor, Azzam al-Gharib, temporarily suspended operations on 23 December for all public and private schools, universities, and government offices across the city. [28]
Tensions shortly spread to eastern Syria, where SDF reinforcements were reportedly deployed to the village of Ghanem al-Ali near Syrian army-controlled areas in the Raqqa Governorate's countryside. At the same time, unmanned aerial vehicles were observed over the town of Ma'adan, under government control. [27]
Hostilities subsided around 22:00 local time, as representatives of the Syrian government and SDF entered talks aimed at calming the situation and reaffirming the ceasefire. According to the Syrian Ministry of Defense, the clashes ended after orders were issued by the army's general command to halt strikes on SDF positions to prevent civilian casualties. The SDF stated it ceased its response after receiving calls for de-escalation, noting the decision was intended to restore calm. [27]
The following day, 23 December, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Kurdish neighborhoods remained under siege, with electricity and water cut off, key roads closed, and internet services disrupted. [29]
On 26 December, the head of Internal Security in Aleppo, Mohammed Abdul Ghani, stated that snipers of the SDF opened fire on an Interior Ministry checkpoint near al-Shihan Roundabout in northern Aleppo, resulting in injuries to one member of the Internal Security Forces, who was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment. He said that security units responded to the source of the fire and neutralized it in line with established operational procedures. Abdul Ghani also urged civilians to avoid areas experiencing tension for their own safety and called on them to comply with official instructions. Abdul Ghani held the SDF fully responsible for any escalation or consequences arising from what he described as repeated violations, stressing that continued breaches of ceasefires and attacks on security positions would prompt appropriate measures. [4]
In response, the SDF media center accused what it described as factions linked to the Damascus government of deploying tanks and heavy military vehicles around the al-Ashrafieh neighborhood, calling it an escalation. The center stated that those factions would bear full responsibility for any resulting consequences. [30]
Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria 
Syrian transitional government [a] 
Mazloum Abdi 
Murhaf Abu Qasra 
Anas Khattab 
