Clashes erupt between Syria forces and SDF in aleppo

Clashes broke out between Syrian security forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in parts of Aleppo, underscoring persistent tensions between Damascus and the U.S.-backed group despite intermittent coordination against common threats. Residents and local sources said fighting erupted after exchanges of fire at checkpoints and contested neighborhoods, with both sides deploying reinforcements and heavy weapons as roads were temporarily closed and civilians sheltered indoors.

The clashes reportedly followed disputes over control of security posts and movement routes in northern and eastern districts of the city, areas where influence has long been divided among government forces, Kurdish-led units and allied militias. Witnesses described bursts of gunfire and the sound of explosions, while medical sources said several fighters were wounded, though no confirmed civilian casualties were immediately reported.

The Syrian government has repeatedly said it seeks to reassert full sovereignty over all territory, including areas held by the SDF, which controls large swathes of northeastern Syria. The SDF, dominated by the Kurdish YPG militia, says it is defending local communities and maintaining stability in areas it administers, while accusing Damascus of provoking confrontations and undermining fragile security arrangements.

Analysts said the fighting reflects unresolved political and military disputes that have lingered since the territorial defeat of Islamic State. While the two sides have at times coordinated to counter jihadist threats, deeper disagreements over governance, resource control and the future status of Kurdish-held regions remain unresolved. Aleppo, Syria’s largest city before the war, has repeatedly seen flare-ups as rival forces test red lines and negotiate influence on the ground.

Local authorities urged residents to stay away from affected areas as talks were reportedly underway to contain the violence and restore calm. The clashes add to the volatility of Syria’s security landscape, where multiple armed actors operate amid a stalled political process and ongoing economic hardship, raising fears that localized confrontations could escalate if broader agreements fail to materialize.