The ongoing violence in Aleppo has forced countless civilians to abandon their homes in the districts of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyye, areas controlled by the PKK/YPG armed group operating under the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). As clashes escalate between these group factions and Syrian government forces, residents are urgently fleeing to safer parts of the city. This dispersal reflects a deep-rooted fear and the urgent need to escape the constant danger posed by ongoing hostilities. Many civilians are leaving with only what they can carry—their essential belongings—hoping to reach more secure zones within Aleppo’s central neighborhoods.
Photographic evidence collected by Anadolu Agency shows the extent of the destruction, capturing images of damaged homes and vehicles in neighborhoods that have been targeted by shelling. These images vividly illustrate the human toll of the conflict, showing how residential areas have been severely compromised.
Yasir Devalibi, a local resident from Aleppo’s Jamiliya neighborhood, recounted yesterday’s chaos, describing how several missile rounds struck his area. He explained that mortar shells launched from the PKK/YPG-controlled zones landed dangerously close to his home, damaging nearby buildings in a district filled primarily with civilians. Devalibi mourned the loss of life, noting that a woman and a young man lost their lives in the recent violence. He described the damage caused by another round, which destroyed vehicles and created an atmosphere of fear. “The second wave of attacks caused significant destruction, and panic has gripped the community,” he said.
Despite their claims of control, the PKK/YPG continue to maintain a strong presence in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyye neighborhoods. On Monday, they initiated artillery and mortar strikes against residential zones in central Aleppo, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to 13 others. This relentless violence underscores the ongoing struggle for dominance and the devastating impact on everyday life.
In response, Syria’s Defense Ministry announced that government forces had targeted PKK/YPG positions with strikes before being ordered to cease operations, signaling an ongoing military debate on how best to handle the situation. This ongoing conflict raises critical questions about the future of Aleppo and whether peace can be restored or if these cycles of violence will persist.
