The Syrian army has thoroughly searched the neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsood in , it announced today, suggesting that it has captured the area from the militants.
It is recalled that yesterday, Friday 9/1, a temporary ceasefire was declared, without however being able to stop the bloody clashes that have been raging in this northern city since Tuesday.
Conflict over Sheikh Maksoud Quarter – War of announcements
Early this morning the Syrian army announced that it had completed searches of the district, although it added that some Kurdish fighters were still hiding there.
“We announce the end of a comprehensive security operation in the Sheikh Maqsood neighborhood of Aleppo,” the army said in a statement carried by the Sana news agency, but warned residents to stay in their homes.
However, the Kurds in their written statement denied that the Syrian authorities occupied this district and pointed out that they are still resisting.
“The Defense Ministry of Damascus announced that it captured 90% of the district. We categorically state that these allegations are baseless,” the Kurdish internal security forces responded.
AFP correspondents on the ground said they were still hearing gunfire this morning.
The importance of Sheikh Maqsood
The capture of Sheikh Maqsood by the Syrian army would end Kurdish rule in parts of Aleppo that have been controlled by Kurdish forces since the start of the Syrian war in 2011.
Kurdish forces still control large areas in the northeastern part of the country.
Meanwhile, the US envoy for Syria Tom Barak said in a post on X today that he met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi in Amman with the aim of consolidating the ceasefire declared in the Kurdish districts and ensuring “the peaceful withdrawal” of Kurdish forces “from Aleppo”.
