Jump to content

January 2026 Aleppo clashes

Extended-protected article
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

January 2026 Aleppo clashes
Part of the SDF–Syrian transitional government clashes during the Syrian conflict

Control of Aleppo as of 10 January 2026
Date6–10 January 2026
(4 days)
Location
Aleppo, Syria
Result

Syrian government victory[1]

Territorial
changes		 Syrian government captures Sheikh Maqsood, Ashrafiyah and Bani Zaid neighbourhoods
Belligerents
Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria Syria Syrian transitional government[a]
Commanders and leaders
Alif Muhammad[4]
Axîn Nûcan[5]		 Ali Noureddine al-Naasan
Anas Khattab
Mohammed Abdul Ghani
Units involved
Casualties and losses
Per SOHR
6 killed[8][9]
Remaining garrison surrendered and evacuated
Per SDF
5 killed[10]
Per Syrian transitional government:
Unspecified number killed[11]
59 wounded[11]
Remaining garrison surrendered and evacuated		 Per SOHR
Syria 24 killed[9]
Civilians:
At least 25 killed (per SOHR)[12]
Thousands displaced[13]

The January 2026 Aleppo clashes were a continuation of the broader SDF–Syrian transitional government clashes (2025–present) following the breach of a ceasefire agreement reached after clashes in December, which followed similar clashes in October.

On 10 January, the Syrian Democratic Forces and their affiliates reached a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian transitional government to withdraw their fighters to northeastern Syria.[2][3]

Background

Further information: SDF–Syrian transitional government clashes (2025–present)

Clashes briefly erupted on 5–7 October and resulted in 3 deaths and over 26 injuries.[14] Clashes renewed in December 2025, and resulted in 1 death and 9 injuries from both sides of the belligerents, as well as 4 deaths and 34 injuries among civilians. A ceasefire agreement was reached, while the SOHR reported that the Kurdish neighborhoods remained under siege, with electricity and water cut off, key roads closed, and internet services disrupted.[15]

Clashes

On 6 January 2026, clashes erupted in Aleppo.[16] The Asayish forces targeted a Syrian government vehicle on the Castello Road in northern Aleppo, killing one soldier and injuring four others from the 72nd Division, the SOHR reported.[17]

On 7 January, clashes in Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh intensified, and were described as the harshest day of clashes. Syrian government declared all Asayish military positions in the neighborhoods to be "legitimate targets." [18] At 15:00 p.m. local time a full scale combined arms assault was launched by the Syrian Army on the neighbourhoods.[19] The Syrian Army attempted to enter the areas with armored vehicles, including tanks, but these efforts were repelled by the Asayish.[20] According to the SOHR, fighting that day killed at least one Asayish member and four Syrian Army soldiers.[21]

On 8 January, clashes continued as the Syrian Army was trying to infiltrate the neighbourhoods,[22][23] artillery shelling struck the Othman Hospital in Sheikh Maqsood, killing 8 civilians and injuring nearly 60 others.[24][25] Turkish drones reportedly provided support for Syrian Army ground incursions.[26] In the late evening hours, Syrian Army forces, succeeded in partially infiltrating the Ashrafieh neighborhood after fighters from the al-Baggara tribe defected and opened access to the area, As fighting persisted throughout the night.[27]

On 9 January, the Syrian government declared a unilateral ceasefire to take effect at 03:00 local time and offered Kurdish fighters in the neighborhoods the option to evacuate to Kurdish-controlled areas in Northeastern Syria,[28] after having captured the Ashrafieh neigbourhood.[12] The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that Syrian army buses had arrived in Aleppo to evacuate the remaining Asayish fighters from Aleppo.[29] However, the Kurdish councils in the neighborhoods rejected the proposal, describing it as "a call to surrender," and stated that Kurdish forces would instead "defend their neighborhoods."[30] Clashes continued throughout the rest of the day, accompanied by hours-long artillery shelling by government forces going into the night.[31]

On 10 January, pro-government Syrian media declared that Syrian army forces entered parts of Sheikh Maqsood, while fighting persisted.[32] Heavy fighting in Sheikh Maqsood led to five Asayish members carrying out a suicide attack on government forces, killing themselves while also killing and wounding several government fighters, according to the SOHR and Kurdish media.[8][33] Later that day, the Syrian government declared a second ceasefire to take effect at 03:00 p.m. local time and outlined a plan for the relocation of Kurdish fighters.[34] France 24 reported that "limited clashes" continued despite the Syrian Army's claims that it had taken control of Sheikh Maqsood, citing local sources.[35] Before midnight, the Kurdish councils of the neighborhoods declared a "partial ceasefire" to allow the evacuation of the wounded and civilians.[36]

Around 60 Asayish fighters surrendered to the Syrian Army and were subsequently sent to North East Syria on buses.[37]

Aftermath

On 11 January, the final batch of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters withdrew from the city of Aleppo. Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib told Al Jazeera early on Sunday that Aleppo had become "empty of SDF fighters" after government forces coordinated their overnight withdrawal on buses out of the city. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi (also known as Mazloum Kobani) said the group had reached an understanding through international mediation that included a ceasefire and the safe evacuation of civilians and fighters. Reporting from Damascus, Al Jazeera correspondent Ayman Oghanna said that calm had returned to Aleppo and that the United States played an instrumental role in brokering the agreement between the SDF and the Syrian government.[38]

Human rights violations and war crimes

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Sheikh Maqsood under bombardment by alleged Syrian government forces on 9 January 2026

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) documented various human rights violations and actions it described as war crimes it alleged were committed by government forces. According to the SOHR, bombardments by the Syrian government on the densely populated residential areas of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh caused widespread material damage, displacement of civilians, and killings.[39]

Repeated heavy weapons strikes by government forces on the besieged Al-Shahid Khalid Fajr hospital in Sheikh Maqsood reportedly put it out of service, raising fears of a humanitarian disaster.[40] This included the targeting of the hospital's generator by a Syrian government-operated suicide drone.[41] Doctors said that the hospital's surroundings and interior were witnessing "horrific scenes, with blood everywhere and the wounded lying on the floor amid immense pressure and a severe shortage of medical supplies," and called on the international community to uphold its humanitarian and legal responsibilities.[42] On 10 January, the Syrian government claimed that tunnels used by Kurdish fighters were located beneath the hospital, justifying the bombardment.[34]

SOHR claimed that two staff members of Ashrafieh's Othman Hospital were extrajudicially executed when government forces entered the neighborhoods.[43] The SOHR claimed that the Syrian transitional government rejected a request by the Kurdish Red Crescent[44] and Syrian Red Crescent to evacuate wounded civilians from the besieged neighborhoods.[45] The SOHR claimed that government forces abused captured Kurdish fighters,[46] and the body of another fighter was allegedly dragged by a rope and insulted.[47] In another incident, the SOHR said that videos circulating online showed government forces throwing a female member of the Asayish from a building rooftop amid insults and verbal abuse.[48] The SOHR claimed that civilians who fled the Sheikh Maqsood neighborhood were gathered by government forces and filmed in a humiliating scene by state media for "propaganda reasons." The organization also said that several of these civilians were arrested and transferred to unknown locations.[49]

Other reports

Greek City Times reported that Syrian government forces issued maps and warnings designating a site in Sheikh Maqsood as a Kurdish military position and announcing that artillery shelling would follow. However, this claim was challenged by Antoine Mekhallale, a senior official of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church in Aleppo, who said in a social media post that the marked buildings were church-owned property housing up to 40 Christian civilian families, not an SDF military site.[50]

In a joint statement, several Syrian human rights watchdogs, including the Syria Justice and Accountability Center and Syrians for Truth and Justice, condemned the attacks on the neighborhoods and warned that the recent military escalation has raised serious concerns among local communities about the risk of new human rights violations.[51]

Reactions

Domestic

International

Notes

  1. ^ The provisional government of Syria.

References

  1. ^ Staff, Al Jazeera. "Last Kurdish-led SDF fighters leave Syria's Aleppo after days of clashes". Al Jazeera English.
  2. ^ a b "Last Kurdish forces leave Aleppo after ceasefire deal reached". BBC News. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Syria live: SDF fighters pull out of Aleppo after deadly battles". Al Jazeera English. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Leader in Internal Security: Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh roads closed despite agreement, vehicle handover". Hawar News. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  5. ^ "Halep'te saldırılara karşı halk direniyor" [The people of Aleppo are resisting the attacks.]. Mezopotamya Ajansı (in Turkish). 8 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  6. ^ "08.01.2025 HELEB CİWANÊN ŞOREŞGER HELEB DİPARÊZİN_1". Nuce Ciwan (in Kurdish). 8 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Syrian army renews strikes on Kurdish forces in Aleppo". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  8. ^ a b ""Fida'i" attacks and infiltration operations | Members of Asayish Forces and government forces killed and wounded in Sheikh Maqsoud". SOHR. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  9. ^ a b "خلال اليومين الماضيين.. 7 قتلى من عناصر وزارة الدفاع السورية في الشيخ مقصود والأشرفية". SOHR. 9 January 2026.
  10. ^ "YPJ: Self-sacrifice operations against ISIS repeated in Sheikh Maqsoud". Hawar News Agency. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  11. ^ a b "Syria Govt Forces Detain 300 Kurds, Evacuate 400 Fighters From Aleppo". Barron's. 11 January 2026.
  12. ^ a b "منذ بدء المعارك.. ارتفاع عدد الضحايا في الشيخ مقصود والأشرفية إلى 137 بين شهيد وجريح" [Since the start of the fighting, the number of casualties in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh has risen to 137, including both martyrs and wounded.]. SOHR. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026. Factions affiliated with the interim government fully captured the Ashrafieh neighborhood in Aleppo city after three days of fighting.
  13. ^ "Aleppo: Thousands flee clashes between Syrian government and Kurdish fighters". BBC. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  14. ^ Hamamh, Mohamed (22 December 2025). "معارك بين "قسد" والقوات السورية في حلب بموازاة زيارة وفد تركي لدمشق" [Clashes Between "SDFl and Syrian Forces in Aleppo Concurrent With Visit of Turkish Delegation to Damascus]. The New Arab (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 23 December 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  15. ^ "Following fierce clashes | Electricity, water and internet service interrupted in Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafiyah neighbourhoods in Aleppo city". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 23 December 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  16. ^ "2 civilians injured in suicide drone attack on al-Shaqif area, Sheikh Maqsoud". Hawar News Agency. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  17. ^ ""الأسايش" ترد على القصف وتقتل عنصراً وتُصيب 4.. تواصل التصعيد على دير حافر وتل "سيرياتل". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  18. ^ "Ongoing bombardment | Arrest campaigns target young men amid mass displacement in Al- Sheikh Maqsoud, Al-Ashrafiyah and Bani Zaid neighborhoods". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  19. ^ "Syria: The army began shelling the Kurdish districts of Aleppo". ProtoThema English. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  20. ^ "Bloody escalation two days on | Clashes continue near Sheikh Maqsoud, Al-Ashrafiyah and Bani Zaid neighbourhoods". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  21. ^ "تصعيد دام في حلب.. قصف مدفعي ومسيّرة انتحارية تستهدف مشفى بالأشرفية وحصيلة الشهداء في ارتفاع". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  22. ^ "Dramatic escalation three days on | Clashes and bombardment with heavy weapons across neighbourhoods in Aleppo city leave two civilians injured". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  23. ^ "Thousands flee Aleppo as clashes between Syria's army and SDF escalate". Al Jazeera English. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  24. ^ "في انتهاك صارخ للقانون الدولي..القوات الحكومية تقصف محيط مشفى "عثمان" والأبنية السكنية في أحياء حلب". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  25. ^ "Condemning mass*acres and siege imposed on residential neighbourhoods in Aleppo city | Mass demonstrations staged in NE Syria". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  26. ^ "After the failure of government forces on ground | Turkish drones fly over Al-Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafiyah neighborhoods". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  27. ^ "Following defections and tribal facilitation, the transitional government forces control more than half of the Ashrafieh neighborhood, while limited clashes continue". SOHR. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  28. ^ Christou, William (9 January 2026). "Syria announces ceasefire in Aleppo after three days of clashes with Kurds". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  29. ^ "Syria live: Army says SDF fighters to be allowed out of Aleppo amid truce". Al Jazeera English. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  30. ^ "Kurdish councils in Syria's Aleppo reject evacuation call". Reuters. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  31. ^ "خمس ساعات من القصف المتواصل تزيد معاناة المدنيين في الشيخ مقصود والأشرفية". SOHR. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  32. ^ "Clashes persist in Aleppo as Syrian security forces enter Sheikh Maqsoud". Enab Baladi. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  33. ^ "ISF members in Aleppo carry out self-sacrifice operations against Interim Govt.'s mercenaries". Hawar News Agency. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  34. ^ a b "Syrian Army Announces Halt to Military Operations in Sheikh Maqsoud, Outlines Withdrawal and Handover Plan". Kurdistan24. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  35. ^ "'Limited clashes' still ongoing in Aleppo neighborhood". France 24. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  36. ^ "Partial Truce reached in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsood". Hawar News Agency. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  37. ^ Siddiqui, Usaid; Pietromarchi, Virginia; Quillen, Stephen. "Syria updates: Aleppo sees relative calm, majority of SDF fighters disarmed". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  38. ^ Staff, Al Jazeera. "Last Kurdish-led SDF fighters leave Syria's Aleppo after days of clashes". Al Jazeera English.
  39. ^ "قصف عنيف يستهدف حي الشيخ مقصود من قبل عناصر الحكومة الانتقالية". SOHR. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  40. ^ "Putting it out of service | Four successive round of bombardment targets "Khalid Fajr" hospital, threatening of humanitarian disaster". SOHR. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  41. ^ "قصف مولدة كهرباء مشفى "خالد فجر" بحلب يستنفر الكوادر ويهدد حياة المرضى". SOHR. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  42. ^ "مشفى "خالد فجر" في حي الشيخ مقصود.. المدنيون تحت القصف والكوادر الطبية تطلق نداءً إنسانيا عاجلا". SOHR. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  43. ^ "Ongoing violations | Two staff members of Othman hospital executed in Al-Ashrafiyah neighborhood in Aleppo". SOHR. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  44. ^ "الحكومة المؤقتة تمنع فرق الهلال الأحمر الكردي من إجلاء الجرحى وإيصال المساعدات إلى الشيخ مقصود والأشرفية". SOHR. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  45. ^ "Humanitarian crisis in Sheikh Maqsoud | Injured civilians deprived of medical treatment". SOHR. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  46. ^ "فيديو: استخدام كلمات مسيئة ونابية من قبل عناصر الحكومة الانتقالية بحق الأسرى في حي الشيخ مقصود". SOHR. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  47. ^ "مدير المرصد السوري: سلاماً للكرد في جميع أنحاء العالم". SOHR. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  48. ^ "Disturbing violations | Female member of "Al-Asayish" thrown from building roof and prisoners assaulted by members of Syrian Interim Government". SOHR. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  49. ^ "قصف عنيف واعتقالات جماعية للمدنيين في الشيخ مقصود وتجميعهم قسراً لتصوير دعائي". SOHR. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  50. ^ Giannopoulos, Bill (8 January 2026). "Aleppo Clashes: Church Leader Disputes Syrian Government's Targeting Claim Amid Evacuation Warnings Greek City Times". Greek City Times. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  51. ^ "Syria/Aleppo: Joint Statement on the Military Escalation in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh Neighborhoods". Syrians for Truth and Justice. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  52. ^ "From Al-Suwaidaa to Aleppo | Dozens of people stage sit-in protest in solidarity with residents in Al-Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafiyah neighborhoods". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  53. ^ "Trump calls for an end to the violence in Aleppo". Rudaw. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  54. ^ "Israeli Foreign Minister Warns Over Aleppo Clashes, Highlights Kurds' Role in Fighting ISIS". Kurdistan24. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  55. ^ "President Barzani Warns of Ethnic Cleansing Against the Kurdish Population in Aleppo". Kurdistan24. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  56. ^ "Talabani Urges Dialogue and Restraint Amid Rising Tensions in Aleppo's Kurdish Neighborhood". Channel8. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  57. ^ "Thousands in Amed protest attacks against Aleppo". ANF News. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  58. ^ "Protests in Turkey condemn Aleppo offensive targeting Kurdish neighborhoods". Turkish Minute. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  59. ^ "Proteste für Aleppo in Europa und im Nahen Osten" [Protests for Aleppo in Europe and the Middle East]. ANF News (in German). 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  60. ^ "Pope calls for patience and dialogue in Iran and Syria - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=January_2026_Aleppo_clashes&oldid=1332663550"