Syrian Army Escalates Offensive Against U.S.-Backed Forces in Aleppo

The Syrian military has launched a series of operations against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in and around the city of Aleppo, marking a significant and dangerous escalation in the long-running conflict. The government in Damascus accuses the U.S.-backed militia of repeated drone attacks, blocking civilians, and provoking a new phase of combat.

In statements released over recent days, the Syrian Arab Army declared all SDF military sites in Aleppo, particularly in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, as "legitimate military targets" [43807]. This followed what the army described as a "major escalation" by the SDF, including drone strikes on civilian areas and institutions that caused injuries and property damage [46803][44482]. One soldier was reported killed in a separate SDF drone attack, to which the army responded with artillery [42986].

The core of the government's justification is a claim that the SDF has broken existing ceasefire agreements and is using aggressive tactics. The military states it shot down "hostile drones" launched by the SDF, violating a truce [35602], and has accused the militia of intimidating residents and using civilians as "human shields" during attacks [45948]. A recent ultimatum for Kurdish fighters to surrender their weapons and positions was rejected, leading to new strikes [46313][46435].

The Syrian Army frames its offensive as a "limited law-enforcement" mission aimed at restoring state authority, protecting civilians, and ending the presence of armed groups [46862][46191]. It has warned it will strike SDF positions that are allegedly preventing civilians from using designated humanitarian corridors to leave besieged areas [51121].

The SDF, which was the primary U.S. partner in the ground campaign against the Islamic State group (ISIS), controls large parts of northeastern Syria and several districts in Aleppo. The Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, views the group as a separatist and terrorist threat. This sustained offensive directly challenges the SDF's hold in Aleppo and increases the risk of a broader confrontation between Syrian forces and the U.S.-backed alliance [52026][46847].