The Syrian Army has announced the full liberation of Aleppo following the completion of security operations in Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood amid violent clashes with armed Kurdish forces.
State news agency reported that the Syrian army would suspend all military activities in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud district and expel Kurdish-led SDF fighters to Tabqa.
The announcement came after several days of violence that seriously affected residential areas and military positions. At least 180,000 people have fled fighting in the city’s Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, the Army’s Operations Command urged civilians in the neighbourhood “to remain in their homes and not go outside, due to SDF and PKK terrorist elements hiding among them.”
Authorities said residents could contact forces on the ground for emergencies or to report suspected individuals.
An unnamed source quoted by SANA said: “Internal Security Forces have begun entering the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood, in coordination with army forces, to complete search and security operations.” Officials said the effort was aimed at restoring stability and preventing further attacks.
A military source has told Al Jazeera that several SDF members inside Yassin Hospital have surrendered to the Syrian army.
Earlier, we reported citing Syria’s Health Ministry that Kurdish-led forces have seized the hospital located in the neighbourhood and expelled its medical staff and workers.
SANA also reported that the Syrian army has secured the release of civilians who had been detained by members of the SDF. It was not clear how many people were being held by the Kurdish fighters.
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Authorities said the presence of security forces would continue until they are confident that armed elements are no longer operating within civilian areas.
Officials emphasised coordination between military and internal security units to maintain control.
Official statements
Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib said relevant authorities are “continuing their field operations around the clock to stabilise security and ensure the return of normal life in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighbourhoods.” His remarks were shared through US social media company X.
In another post, al-Gharib urged residents to follow official guidance, saying: “We call on our citizens to fully adhere to the instructions issued by the competent authorities.” He stressed that cooperation was necessary to protect civilians and speed recovery.
The governor also confirmed that movement restrictions remain in effect. “We affirm the continuation of the curfew in the areas announced by the Operations Command until further directives are issued,” he said, noting that restrictions would be reassessed as conditions improve.
Türkiye also commented on the recent news from Aleppo, denouncing the Kurdish forces as “terrorist organisations.”
Ankara said that it fully expects the YPG/SDF to comply with the March 10 agreement in Syria and fulfil its obligations, according to comment made by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday.
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler said Türkiye views Syria’s security as its own and continues to support Syria’s fight against terrorist organisations extremely important for public peace and welfare, and that the fight against terrorism must continue in the most effective manner.
“We are closely monitoring where things stand at the latest stage and what is being done,” he said, adding that he held talks earlier in the day with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani.
Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler said Türkiye views Syria’s security as its own and continues to support Syria’s fight against terrorist organisations, its unity and territorial integrity.
Since Tuesday, YPG and SDF shelling has struck residential neighbourhoods, civilian facilities, and Syrian Army positions in Aleppo. Officials said the attacks killed nine people and wounded 55 others.
The violence displaced about 165,000 residents from the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods. Many families fled to safer areas as shelling and security operations disrupted daily life.
Al-Gharib addressed displaced residents directly, saying: “We ask our displaced citizens not to head to the mentioned neighbourhoods at the present time, except after prior coordination with the Aleppo Response Committee, in order to ensure their safety and organise their safe return.”
Political context
On March 10, 2026, the Syrian presidency announced an agreement for the SDF’s integration into state institutions in an effort to further unite the divided Arab country following a lengthy and bloody civil war.
The deal reaffirmed Syria’s territorial unity and rejected attempts at division along sectarian or ethnic lines.
Authorities said the Kurdish YPG and SDF have not demonstrated efforts to implement the agreement in the months since its signing. Officials argued this failure has contributed to continued instability in the north.
Damascus has intensified security efforts nationwide following the ousting of the former regime headed by Alawite dictator Bashar Al-Assad in December 2024 after 24 years in power.
Officials say restoring order remains a top priority as the country navigates a volatile transition.
Turkiye has played a prominent role in Syria before and after the fall of the Assad regime. It’s relationship to the new government in Damascus is incredibly close and Ankara has supplied key military aid, arms and support to help Syria’s army battle rebel groups, combat terrorism and to beef up deterrence amid the continued aggression by Israel and various rag-tag armed groups across the country.
