Syria: Deadly Aleppo clashes raise fears of wider war DW 01/08/2026

"Tensions between Syria's government and Kurdish forces have boiled over into deadly clashes in the country's northern city of Aleppo. Since Tuesday, at least 12 civilians have been killed, while several members of government forces and one Kurdish fighter have also died, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. More than 60 people have been wounded. The violence has also triggered a significant displacement crisis."

"According to Syria's government in Damascus, the military operations are "solely aimed at preserving security, preventing any armed activity within residential areas." Damascus declared Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud and Achrafieh neighbourhoods, two Kurdish-held districts in the city, as "closed military zones" after humanitarian corridors allowed civilians to leave the areas on Wednesday and Thursday until midday. However, according to estimates, around 100,000 people remain trapped."

"Instead, they accused the military of targeting civilians and warned that the conflict could drag Syria back into full-scale war.. "The Aleppo escalation carries direct implications for Syria's stability," Nanar Hawach, senior Syria analyst at the International Crisis Group, an independent organization working to prevent wars, told DW, adding that in case of a prolonged stand-off, localized violence could spread to further areas."

Fierce clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters erupted in Aleppo, killing at least 12 civilians, several government personnel and one Kurdish fighter, and wounding more than 60 people. The violence triggered a displacement crisis with Aleppo's Central Response Committee reporting 142,000 civilians seeking shelter and estimates that around 100,000 remain trapped. Schools are closed and airport air traffic is suspended. Damascus framed military operations as aimed at preserving security and declared Sheikh Maqsoud and Achrafieh closed military zones after limited humanitarian corridors. The Kurdish-led SDF denied military targets, accused forces of striking civilians and warned of a return to full-scale war. Mediators including Turkey, the US and the UN urged de-escalation.

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