Renewed Clashes Erupt Between Kurdish Forces and Syrian Government Troops Near Aleppo

Fresh armed confrontations have broken out between Kurdish-led militias and Syrian government forces in the area southeast of Aleppo. According to reports from both sides, the latest hostilities occurred near Dibsi Afnan, with each party accusing the other of initiating the violence.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led predominantly by Kurdish fighters, reported that government troops launched a surprise attack on their positions, resulting in several casualties among their ranks. Syrian army officials, for their part, claimed that their units stationed in the region were targeted by armed groups associated with the SDF, specifically referencing fighters linked to the proscribed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The Syrian military stated that two of its soldiers were killed during the engagement.

The renewed fighting followed an earlier announcement by the SDF indicating their intention to withdraw from the Dibsi Afnan area after several days of clashes. A tentative agreement had reportedly been reached, calling for a 48-hour ceasefire to facilitate the withdrawal. However, Kurdish sources allege that government forces advanced into the area before the pullback was complete, deploying military convoys, heavy weaponry, and armored vehicles. The SDF contends that this escalation violated the terms of the ceasefire and led to direct attacks on their positions.

In response, Syrian government representatives accuse the SDF of harboring supporters of the ousted Assad administration and members of the PKK, which is designated a terrorist organization by Damascus. The government has now declared the territory west of the Euphrates River a military exclusion zone and asserted control over several strategic locations in the region.

Amid rising tensions, the interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree recognizing the Kurdish population as an integral part of Syrian society. This new legislation grants official acknowledgment of Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights, allows for the teaching of Kurdish in schools, and rescinds previous discriminatory regulations. Additionally, the Kurdish New Year festival, Nowruz, has been designated as a national holiday.

Kurds make up Syria's largest ethnic minority and have historically faced systemic discrimination, particularly under the regime that was overthrown in late 2024. During the protracted civil conflict, Kurdish communities in northeastern Syria established autonomous civil and military structures. Under an agreement reached in March, these institutions were due to be integrated into the national framework, but implementation has so far stalled.

Analysts warn that the ongoing confrontations and lack of progress on political integration could lead to a broader conflict between Kurdish groups and the Syrian government. Calls have emerged from Kurdish leaders for international assistance, particularly from the United States, to help prevent further violence in the region.

As diplomatic efforts continue, President al-Sharaa is scheduled to visit Germany for high-level talks with senior German officials. The visit, the first by a Syrian head of state in a quarter-century, is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing the issue of Syrian refugees.

The situation in the Aleppo region remains tense, with both sides reinforcing their positions and no clear resolution in sight. Observers note that further clashes could jeopardize recent attempts at political reconciliation and threaten stability in the already volatile area.