Damascus, Syria — Aleppo Governor Azzam Al-Gharib revealed on Thursday that there have been “defections” within the Syrian Democratic Forces (qased). He signaled what he described as a “field change.”
Meanwhile, security authorities announced a curfew in several neighborhoods of the city starting Thursday evening.In press statements, Al-Gharib said that “according to incoming information, large numbers of SDF group members have defected in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods.
Another group has fled, paving the way for a significant field change in those areas.”
Aleppo… a new step towards safety
The local official added: “Internal Security Forces are currently preparing to deploy inside the aforementioned neighborhoods.
This is in preparation for fully securing them and ensuring the safe return of displaced residents to their homes.”
He considered that “the dark chapter in Aleppo has begun to close.
This is thanks to the steadfastness of the Syrian army. Through the efforts of the Internal Security Forces, and the patience and cooperation of the residents, Aleppo is taking a new step toward safety and stability.”
Al-Gharib also addressed a message to the people of Aleppo, calling on them to “strictly adhere
to the instructions and not to rush back until security operations are completed.
This return will be organized in accordance with official directives published through approved platforms.”
In a related development, security forces announced the imposition of a full curfew in the neighborhoods of Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, Bani Zaid, Al-Suryan, Al-Halak, and Al-Midan.
It starts Thursday evening until further notice.At the same time, a government source told the Syrian state-run Al-Ikhbariyah channel that residents of the Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud,
and Bani Zaid neighborhoods in Aleppo have begun handing over parts of these areas to the “Syrian state.”
The source noted that Internal Security Forces are preparing to establish security throughout the area.Later, the Syrian Ministry of Interior said that the deployment of Internal Security Forces had begun in the Ashrafieh neighborhood.
This is part of a plan to re-establish stability in neighborhoods recently handed over to the state following the withdrawal of the SDF.
Negotiations between Damascus and the QASED have stalled
Aleppo, the main city in northern Syria, has been witnessing clashes
between the army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (qased) since Tuesday.
These clashes have resulted in dozens killed and wounded, and the displacement of thousands of residents.
Government forces and Kurdish forces have exchanged accusations over who sparked the fighting.
So far, the clashes have left at least 21 people dead, including 16 civilians.
The confrontations come amid stalled negotiations between Damascus
and the qased following the signing of an agreement in March.
This agreement stipulated the integration of the Kurdish autonomous administration’s institutions into the framework of the Syrian state.
