{{pp|small=yes}} {{Short description|Kurdish neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Sheikh Maqsood | native_name = {{lang|ar|الشيخ مقصود}}<br>{{lang|ku|Şêx Meqsûd}}
| native_name_lang = ku, ar | settlement_type = Neighborhood | image_skyline = Al-Snoubari park.jpg | imagesize = | image_alt = | image_caption = Sheikh Maqsood in 2011 | pushpin_map = Syria Aleppo#Syria | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Aleppo, Syria | pushpin_mapsize = 250 | pushpin_label_position = | mapframe = yes | coordinates = {{coord|36|14|10|N|37|9|6|E|region:SY|display=inline,title}} | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{Flag|Syria}} | subdivision_type1 = City | subdivision_name1 = Aleppo | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | established_title = | established_date = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = | population_as_of = May 2016 | population_total = 30,000<ref name=crimes/> | population_density_km2 = auto | timezone1 = AST | utc_offset1 = +2 | timezone1_DST = DST | utc_offset1_DST = +3 | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | website = | footnotes = }} '''Sheikh Maqsood''' ({{langx|ar|ٱلشَّيْخ مَقْصُود|aš-Šayḵ Maqṣūd}}, {{IPA|ar|aʃ.ʃajx maq.sˤuːd|IPA}}; {{langx|kmr|Şêx Meqsûd}}, {{IPA|kmr|ʃeːx mɛq.suːd|ipa}}), sometimes spelled '''al-Sheikh Maqsoud''', '''Maqsud''' or '''Maksud''', is a Kurdish-majority neighborhood in the city of Aleppo, Syria.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141122121007/http://aleppo.firstmilegeo.com/governance.html Aleppo - Governance], Caerus Associates on First Mile Geo</ref><ref>[http://caerusassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Caerus_AleppoMappingProject_FinalReport_02-18-14.pdf Mapping the conflict in Aleppo, Syria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201150200/http://caerusassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Caerus_AleppoMappingProject_FinalReport_02-18-14.pdf |date=1 February 2016 }}, Caerus Associates with support from the American Security Project, February 2014</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Conflict within a conflict: Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/conflict-conflict-aleppo-sheikh-maqsoud-160802101754771.html|access-date=2020-08-13|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/|title=Reuters | Breaking International News & Views|date=23 June 2023|website=Reuters}}</ref>
==History== The neighborhood had a thriving Sufi community in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pinto |first1=Paulo |title=Kurdish Sufi Spaces of Rural-Urban. Connection in Northern Syria |url=https://journals.openedition.org/etudesrurales/9290?lang=en |website=Études rurales |access-date=30 December 2025 |location=Web |pages=149–168 |doi=10.4000/etudesrurales.9290 |date=29 March 2010 |quote=Sheikh Muhiy al-Din leads a Qadiri zawiya in the mixed Arab and Kurdish neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsud in Aleppo. While his zawiya is not a mere extension of a rural Sufi community, it functions as part of a larger Sufi network}}</ref>
=== Kurdish control === {{See also|Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)|Human rights violations during the Syrian Civil War#Shelling of civilian areas}} During the Syrian Civil War, the Kurdish-majority People's Protection Units (YPG) took control of the neighborhood in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-nisman/have-syrias-kurds-had-a_b_3036931.html |title=Have Syria's Kurds Had a Change of Heart? |last1=Nisman |first1=Daniel |date=8 April 2013 |website=Huffington Post |access-date=10 November 2015 |quote=Reports indicate that YPG militiamen and Syrian rebels have agreed to share control of the strategic Sheikh Maqsood District of northern Aleppo}}</ref> Separated from the larger Kurdish regions of Syria, Sheikh Maqsood had been vulnerable to assaults by the Al-Nusra Front and other Islamist rebel groups<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10311007/Syria-nearly-half-rebel-fighters-are-jihadists-or-hardline-Islamists-says-IHS-Janes-report.html|title=Syria: nearly half rebel fighters are jihadists or hardline Islamists, says IHS Jane's report|publisher=The Telegraph|date=15 September 2013|accessdate=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24403003|title=Guide to the Syrian rebels|publisher=BBC|date=13 December 2013|accessdate=11 June 2016}}</ref> which were besieging the district from all directions but the south and west until they were driven back by pro-government forces in 2016.
Islamist rebel groups frequently shelled Sheikh Maqsood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2016/03/syrian-islamist-rebels-renew-chemical-attack-kurdish-district-aleppo/|title=Syrian Islamist rebels renew chemical attack on Kurdish district in Aleppo|publisher=Ara News|date=14 March 2016|accessdate=11 June 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516001625/http://aranews.net/2016/03/syrian-islamist-rebels-renew-chemical-attack-kurdish-district-aleppo/|archivedate=16 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2016/04/syrian-rebels-massacre-kurdish-civilians-aleppo/|title=Syrian rebels massacre Kurdish civilians in Aleppo|publisher=Ara News|date=6 April 2016|accessdate=11 June 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609232252/http://aranews.net/2016/04/syrian-rebels-massacre-kurdish-civilians-aleppo/|archivedate=9 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebels-strike-kurdish-neighborhood-aleppo-chemical-gas/|title=Rebels strike Kurdish neighborhood in Aleppo with chemical gas|publisher=Al-Masdar News|date=7 April 2016|accessdate=11 June 2016|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327130223/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebels-strike-kurdish-neighborhood-aleppo-chemical-gas/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="shelling">{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/2016/04/06/45704|title=About 65 casualties and injuries in shelling and launching explosive cylinders on Sheikh Maqsood neighborhood|publisher=SOHR|date=16 April 2016|accessdate=11 June 2016}}</ref> In May 2016, Amnesty International's regional director suggested that the attacks on Sheikh Maqsood constituted war crimes. Between February and April 2016, more than 83 civilians were killed by the attacks.<ref name=crimes>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/syria-armed-opposition-group-committing-war-crimes-aleppo-new-evidence|title=Syria: armed opposition group committing war crimes in Aleppo - new evidence|work=Amnesty International|date=13 May 2016}}</ref> In mid-June 2016, Russia accused the rebel militias of causing the death of over 40 civilians that month. A Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesman accused rebels of causing 1,000 civilian deaths and injuries, through their shelling of Sheikh Maqsood.<ref name="Maqsood">{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2016/06/russia-shows-support-kurdish-led-sdf-north-syria/|title=Russia shows support to Kurdish-led SDF north Syria|publisher=ARA News|date=14 June 2016|accessdate=14 June 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614115627/http://aranews.net/2016/06/russia-shows-support-kurdish-led-sdf-north-syria/|archivedate=14 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
A United Nations report from February 2017 came to the conclusion that, while during the siege of Eastern Aleppo the attacks against Sheikh Maqsood decreased, Islamist rebel groups affiliated with Fatah Halab, after vowing to take revenge on the Kurds in Sheikh Maqsood, intentionally attacked civilian neighborhoods of the Kurdish enclave – killing and maiming dozens of civilians – and that these acts constituted the war crime of directing attacks against a civilian population.<ref name="UN Feb 2017">{{cite web|url=https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G17/026/63/pdf/G1702663.pdf?OpenElement|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302083204/https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G17/026/63/pdf/G1702663.pdf?OpenElement|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 March 2017|title=Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic|publisher=United Nations|date=2 February 2017|accessdate=1 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="ARANews2017-03 - Rebel shelling war crime">{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2017/03/un-says-syrian-rebel-shelling-of-kurds-a-war-crime/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303044846/http://aranews.net/2017/03/un-says-syrian-rebel-shelling-of-kurds-a-war-crime/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 March 2017|title=UN says Syrian rebel shelling of Kurds 'a war crime'|publisher=ARA News|date=2 March 2017|accessdate=2 March 2017}}</ref>
On 22 February 2018, it was reported that the YPG had agreed to hand over the eastern districts of the city of Aleppo to the Syrian government. According to Syrian state television, this decision was made to reinforce positions around the region of Afrin, and to halt Turkey's offensive.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=24863&SEO=kurdish-militia-ypg-to-deliver-syrian-army-neighborhoods-in-aleppo|title=Kurdish Militia YPG to Hand Over Syrian Army Neighborhoods in Aleppo|work=prensa-latina.cu|access-date=22 February 2018|language=es-ES}}</ref> This came days after pro-Syrian government fighters agreed to bolster the Kurdish forces in the northwest.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43131600|title=Syrian pro-government forces enter Afrin|date=20 February 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=22 February 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref>
SOHR and a witness later said that Syrian government forces had entered the areas controlled by the Kurdish fighters. YPG spokesman Nouri Mahmoud however denied this claim.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2018-02-22/syrian-government-forces-enter-kurdish-held-aleppo-area-witness|title=Syrian Kurdish YPG Denies Government Entered Kurdish-Held Aleppo District|date=22 February 2018|agency=Reuters|publisher=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=23 February 2018}}</ref> A YPG commander later stated that Kurdish fighters had shifted to Afrin to help repel a Turkish assault. As a result, he said the pro-Syrian government forces had regained control of the districts previously controlled by them.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-militia/syrian-ypg-militia-government-has-taken-control-of-aleppo-district-idUSKCN1G62K9|title=Syrian YPG militia: government has taken control of Aleppo district|website=Reuters|date=22 February 2018 }}</ref>
In February 2023, the neighborhood was affected by an earthquake.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-09 |title=Cold, fear and grief pervade Aleppo shelters as aid lags |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/cold-fear-and-grief-pervade-aleppo-shelters-aid-lags |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=New Arab |language=en}}</ref>
=== Conflict with transitional government === Following the fall of the Assad regime in 2024 and the subsequent capture of Aleppo by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh neighborhoods retained their autonomy as the SDF denied other militants access to the areas. Kurdish control over the districts was later solidified through multiple agreements between the SDF and the Syrian transitional government (STG) in December 2024 and April 2025. The agreements stipulated that only the SDF-affiliated internal security forces (Asayish) may remain in both neighborhoods.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abdalrahman |first=Didar |date=1 April 2025 |title=SDF, Damascus reach preliminary deal on prisoner exchange, security |url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/010420251 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Rudaw}}</ref> On 4 April the first SDF convoys started leaving the neighbourhood towards Tabqa in DAANES-administered territory (Rojava) and transferred control to the Asayish.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/syria-aleppo-sdf-sheikh-maksoud-achrafieh-withdrawal-9b8cd819c04b222a695455bb426f92df | title=Kurdish fighters leave northern city in Syria as part of deal with central government | work=AP News | date=4 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 April 2025 |title=Military forces withdrawing from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah reach Tabqa |url=https://anfenglish.com/rojava-syria/military-forces-withdrawing-from-sheikh-maqsoud-and-ashrafiyah-reach-tabqa-78750 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=ANF News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abdo |first=Muhammad |date=5 April 2025 |title=Internal Security Forces assume protection duties in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods |url=https://hawarnews.com/en/internal-security-forces-assume-protection-duties-in-sheikh-maqsoud-and-ashrafieh-neighborhoods |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=ANHA |language=en}}</ref>
==== Blockade during conflict ==== {{See also|SDF–Syrian Transitional Government clashes (2025–present)}} In September 2025, it was reported that the SDF had 1,000 Asayish security forces stationed in the Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh neighborhoods.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Lappin |first=Yaakov |date=2025-09-15 |title=The West's Abandonment of the Syrian Kurds and its Geopolitical Implications |url=https://israel-alma.org/the-wests-abandonment-of-the-syrian-kurds-and-its-geopolitical-implications/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Alma Research and Education Center |language=en-US}}</ref> The Asayish came under attack by government forces on at least two occasions since the agreement in April.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=13 August 2025 |title=Syria denies attacks on Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo |url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/13082025 |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Rudaw}}</ref><ref name="Shafaq22September">{{Cite web |date=22 September 2025 |title=Syria: Government casualties in Aleppo clashes |url=https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Syria-Government-casualties-in-Aleppo-clashes |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Shafaq News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-09-22 |title=Sneak attempt - Three injuries among the “National Army” in Al-Sheikh Maksoud |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/370280/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |language=en-CA}}</ref>
Beginning in July and continuing through September, the STG imposed restrictions on oil supplies entering the neighborhood, constructed earthen barriers and fortified positions, and deployed additional military reinforcements in its vicinity amid rising tensions with the SDF.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-07-14 |title=Old regime tactics - Syrian government cuts off fuel to Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafiyah for 15 days |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/365942/ |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-08-11 |title=Security movements and military reinforcements in vicinity of Al-Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafiyah in Aleppo |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/367620/ |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2025 |title=Residents of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh: Transitional government continues violations |url=https://hawarnews.com/en/residents-of-sheikh-maqsoud-ashrafieh-transitional-government-continues-violations |access-date=1 October 2025 |website=Hawar News}}</ref> In August, Nouri Sheikho, Deputy Head of the General Council of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, told Kurdistan24 that tensions had risen in recent days following the “Unity of Components” conference in Hasakah.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-08-12 |title=Kurdish neighborhoods Council in Aleppo Seek to Defuse Tensions with Damascus |url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/857417/slug |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Kurdistan24 |language=en}}</ref>
==== Military clashes ==== {{Main|Aleppo clashes (2025–2026)}} On the early hours of 6 October, an explosion of unknown origin occurred in the Ashrafiyah neighborhood, damaging a hospital.<ref name=":182">{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-10-06 |title=After today’s explosion - Damascus authorities close entrances to Al-Sheikh Maqsood and Al-Ashrafiyah neighborhoods in Aleppo |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/371106/ |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |language=en-CA}}</ref> Later that day the government closed all seven roads leading into the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyah in Aleppo,<ref name=":182" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Khalaf |first=Mahmoud |date=2025-10-06 |title=Die Schließung der Zugänge zu Sheikh Maqsoud und Ashrafieh in Aleppo löst öffentliche Proteste aus |trans-title=The closure of the access roads to Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in Aleppo triggers public protests |url=https://www.tesaaworld.com/de/news/closure-of-sheikh-maqsoud-and-ashrafieh-outlets-in-aleppo-sparks-popular-protests |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=TESAA |language=de}}</ref> placing the two quarters “under a complete siege.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Osten-Sacken |first=Thomas von der |date=2025-10-06 |title=Syrische Sicherheitskräfte belagern kurdische Stadtviertel in Aleppo |trans-title=Syrian security forces besiege the Kurdish district in Aleppo |url=https://jungle.world/blog/von-tunis-nach-teheran/2025/10/syrische-sicherheitskraefte-belagern-kurdische-stadtviertel |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=jungle.world |language=de}}</ref> The Transitional Government provided no explanation for the move. On the same evening, large protests by local residents took place in front of STG military positions, during which protesters chanted Mazloum Abdi's name and called on the SDF to “liberate” Aleppo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=Protests erupted in Kurdish neighborhoods of Aleppo following calls by the Ashrafiya and Sheikh Maqsoud councils, as residents challenged Public Security checkpoints despite warning shots fired to disperse them. Demonstrators are demanding an end to the blockade. |url=https://x.com/vvanwilgenburg/status/1975290330229710963 |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=Wladimir Van Wilgenburg on X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-10-06 |title=Following closure of entrances to Al-Sheikh Maqsoud by government forces - Dozens of people go out in protests |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/371112/ |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |language=en-CA}}</ref> The protest was met with live ammunition and tear gas, according to the SOHR and several Kurdish outlets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=Damascus-aligned forces crack down on Kurdish protesters in Aleppo |url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/061020254 |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=Rudaw}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=Residents of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh protest road closures |url=https://hawarnews.com/en/residents-of-sheikh-maqsoud-ashrafieh-protest-road-closures |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=Hawar News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=Dozens suffocate as tear gas fired at protesters in Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh |url=https://hawarnews.com/en/dozens-suffocate-as-tear-gas-fired-at-protesters-in-sheikh-maqsoud-ashrafieh |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=Hawar News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-10-06 |title=Growing tension - General Security forces fire tear gas to disperse protesters in Al-Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/371115/ |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |language=en-CA}}</ref> North Press Agency claimed that 15 civilians were injured by the STG's use of violence.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-10-06 |title=15 injured in Aleppo protests over neighborhood access closures |url=https://npasyria.com/en/130636/,%20https://npasyria.com/en/130636/ |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=North Press Agency |language=en-US}}</ref> After dispersing the protesters, heavy clashes erupted between STG fighters and Kurdish forces stationed in Aleppo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=Gunfire heard in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh after escalating clashes between protesters and Syrian government forces |url=https://x.com/NPA_English/status/1975285518876484082 |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=North Press Agency on X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=Fighting breaks out between Syrian forces and armed groups in Aleppo |url=https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/fighting-breaks-out-between-syrian-forces-and-armed-groups-in-aleppo-3208065 |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=Türkiye Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=پێکدادانی سەخت لە نێوان هێزەکانی دیمەشق و هاوڵاتیان لە گەڕەکی شێخ مەقسودی کوردنشین لە حەلەب |trans-title=Heavy clashes between Damascus forces and civilians in the Kurdish neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsood in Aleppo |url=https://x.com/channel8corp/status/1975303492773564642 |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=Channel 8 on X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-07 |title=Heavy clashes break out between Syrian and Kurdish forces in Aleppo |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2025/10/07/heavy-clashes-break-out-between-syrian-and-kurdish-forces-in-aleppo |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}}</ref> The UK Representation of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) claimed additionally that 50 civilians were injured by the Syrian Army's heavy artillery shelling on the neighbourhoods.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=URGENT: Heavy artillery is being used tonight against civilians in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, Aleppo - over 50 people reportedly wounded. We call on @FCDOGovUK to act immediately to help end the bombardment and lift the siege. |url=https://x.com/sydcuk/status/1975291947087729036 |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=Syrian Democratic Council UK on X}}</ref> In a statement, the government's Ministry of Defense claimed that the operation constituted a “redeployment and repositioning,” asserting that “there are no intentions for any military operations.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=Syrian Interim Govt Forces attack Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, claim “Redeployment” |url=https://hawarnews.com/en/syrian-interim-govt-forces-attack-sheikh-maqsoud-ashrafieh-claim-redeployment |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=Hawar News}}</ref> State-run Syria TV and SANA reported that one government fighter was killed and three others were injured in the clashes, while shifting responsibility to the SDF for the fighting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-07 |title=SDF attack in Aleppo city kills one security officer, wounds civilians |url=https://sana.sy/en/local/2271305/ |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=SANA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=The Ministry of Defense denies any intention to launch military operations and affirms its commitment to the March agreement. |url=https://www.syria.tv/%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B4%D9%86-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%A4%D9%83%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A2%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B1 |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=Syria TV}}</ref><ref name="SyriaTV6Oct">{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=One member of the Internal Security Forces was killed and three others were injured in violent clashes between the army and the SDF in Aleppo. |url=https://www.syria.tv/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%AB%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AB%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D9%88%D9%82%D8%B3%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8 |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=Syria TV}}</ref> An official Syrian source told Al Jazeera that three government fighters were killed.<ref name="AlJazeera6Oct">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=6 October 2025 |title=اشتباكات عنيفة في حلب بين الجيش السوري وقسد تخلّف ضحايا |trans-title=Violent clashes in Aleppo between the Syrian army and the SDF leave casualties. |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2025/10/6/%d8%a7%d8%b4%d8%aa%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%83%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%b9%d9%86%d9%8a%d9%81%d8%a9-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%ad%d9%84%d8%a8-%d8%a8%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%b4-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d9%88%d8%b1%d9%8a |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=الجزيرة نت |language=ar}}</ref> During the fighting internet and telecommunications networks had been completely cut off. A local ceasefire agreement for the area was reached in the early hours of 7 October.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-10-07 |title=Following clashes and escalation after withdrawal of general security forces - Tense calm prevails in two neighbourhoods in Aleppo city |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/371125/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights |language=en-CA}}</ref> Following the clashes, Kurdish media reported that two civilians were killed and more than 60 others were injured, while Syrian state media claimed that one civilian was killed and five were injured.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 October 2025 |title=What happened yesterday in Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods? |url=https://hawarnews.com/en/what-happened-yesterday-in-sheikh-maqsoud-ashrafiyeh-neighborhoods |access-date=7 October 2025 |website=Hawar News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 October 2025 |title=The Syrian Civil Defense announces the death toll from the shelling and clashes in Aleppo. |url=https://www.syria.tv/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%AD%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8 |access-date=7 October 2025 |website=Syria TV}}</ref> The SOHR confirmed the death of one civilian.<ref name=":19" /> Demonstrations were held across several Kurdish-majority cities in north and east Syria in solidarity with the residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 October 2025 |title=Syrian government forces clash with Kurdish Asayish in Aleppo |url=https://thenewregion.com/posts/3262 |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=The New Region |language=en}}</ref>
Between 6 and 9 January, intense clashes occurred in Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh neighborhoods between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish Asayish-SDF. The fighting began after a drone strike injured two civilians, prompting Kurdish forces to attack a government vehicle, followed by heavy artillery shelling of residential areas by government forces. On 7 January, the Syrian Army launched a large-scale combined-arms assault, declaring Kurdish military positions "legitimate targets". Thousands of civilians were displaced, while Kurdish forces repelled initial armored advances. On 8 January, hostilities continued with sustained artillery bombardment, including strikes on a hospital, resulting in significant civilian casualties. Supported by Turkish drones and aided by defections from al-Baggara tribal fighters, Syrian government forces infiltrated and ultimately captured the Ashrafieh neighborhood. On 9 January, after securing Ashrafieh, the Syrian government announced a unilateral ceasefire and offered Kurdish fighters evacuation. The Kurdish councils rejected the proposal, while government forces continued attempts to advance into Sheikh Maqsood.
Finally, on 10 January, the Syrian government captured the neighborhood, ending 10 years of SDF control.<ref> {{Cite news |last=Abdulrahim |first=Raja |date=2026-01-11 |title=Syrian Military Takes Aleppo Neighborhoods After Clashes With Kurds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/world/middleeast/syria-military-aleppo.html |access-date=2026-03-15 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Aleppo clashes: Syrian government takes control of Sheikh Maqsoud; detains 300 Kurds |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/aleppo-clashes-syrian-government-takes-control-of-sheikh-maqsoud-detains-300-kurds/amp_articleshow/126463648.cms |access-date=2026-03-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> According to the SOHR, the SDF began mobilizing heavy equipment and soldiers in Deir-Ezzor in response to the attacks.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/376235/|title=Attempting to deter them from supporting residents Al-Sheikh Maqsoud | Government forces attack civilians in Deir Hafer city |access-date=2026-01-23 |website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/376193/|title=Military escalation | Interim government closes all roads and crossings with SDF-held areas |access-date=2026-01-23 |website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Neighborhoods of Aleppo Category:Kurdish communities in Syria Category:Sufism in Syria
{{Neighbourhoods of Aleppo}}