Damascus, Syria – The city of Aleppo witnessed violent clashes between the Syrian army forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (qasad) on the outskirts of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods.
mutual accusations
The clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians.
This has caused a new wave of displacement for dozens of families,
amid an exchange of accusations between the two sides regarding responsibility for the escalation.
The Aleppo Health Directorate announced that two people were killed
and eight others were injured as a result of shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods in the city.
Meanwhile, local media reported a continued exodus of families
from areas of clashes for fear that the conflict would spread.
qasad targeting army elements
The Syrian news agency SANA said that the qasad forces targeted points
of the Internal Security Forces near the Shihane and Lairamoun roundabouts.
This was based on their positions in the Ashrafieh neighborhood,
which resulted in the injury of 4 civilians and civil defense volunteers.
In addition, the Gaziantep-Aleppo road was closed from the direction of
the two roundabouts mentioned as a result of the bombing.
Meanwhile, Syrian state news reported that snipers belonging to the qasad targeted
an internal security checkpoint near the Shihane roundabout.
This resulted in two members of the security forces sustaining varying injuries.
A violent attack with heavy weapons
In contrast, the Syrian Democratic Forces announced that the Syrian army had launched
what it described as a “violent” attack using heavy and medium weapons.
This was in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods,
confirming that its forces responded to the sources of fire.
The qasad media center held the Syrian government fully responsible for the clashes,
noting that two of its members were injured during the fighting.
For its part, the Syrian Ministry of Defense denied the validity of what was stated in
the QASAD’s statements, asserting that the latter launched a surprise attack.
This was at the deployment points of the Internal Security Forces
and the army in the vicinity of the Ashrafieh neighborhood, and the regular forces responded to the sources of fire.
A serious crime and a flagrant violation
In this context, Syrian Emergency Minister Raed al-Saleh said that the attack resulted in the injury of
two civil defense personnel while they were performing their humanitarian duties.
He considered targeting them a serious crime and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law
These developments come amid escalating political tensions,
with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani asserting
that the government has not seen any “serious initiative” from the QASAD.
This is to implement the March 10 agreement stipulating its integration into state institutions,
warning that continued procrastination will negatively affect the stability of the region.
