Aleppo: The Syrian Army announced late Friday the commencement of a military operation targeting the YPG/SDF in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo. This action follows the expiration of all deadlines previously granted to the group to vacate the area.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) relayed a statement from the army's Operations Command detailing prior attempts to resolve the situation. The army had sought an agreement enabling SDF fighters to exit Sheikh Maqsoud with their weapons. However, the SDF reportedly retaliated by attacking evacuation buses on three occasions, shelling army positions, and assaulting soldiers, resulting in three Syrian soldier fatalities and over 12 injuries.

The army statement described a pattern of delays by the SDF, coupled with systematic shelling and assaults on both civilian and military targets in Aleppo, which have hindered the possibility of further agreements. The military also reported discovering a significant number of YPG fighters in Sheikh Maqsoud who, in collaboration with the SDF, were involved in the killing of over 10 Kurdish youths who resisted joining their ranks, followed by burning their bodies to intimidate local residents.

With all deadlines lapsed, the army has initiated an operation to expel SDF forces from the neighborhood. Upon completion of the operation, the plan is to transition control of Sheikh Maqsoud to internal security forces and state institutions to promptly resume their duties.