Damascus to Kurdish-Led Forces: Get Out of Aleppo

The Syrian government has ordered a US-backed militia to withdraw from several neighborhoods in the northern city of Aleppo. The order targets the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Damascus rejected the SDF's recent statement that it has "no military presence" in those areas. A Syrian government source stated that security responsibility in Aleppo rests solely with the state. The demand underscores rising tensions in the region. The SDF is led by Kurdish groups and controls large parts of northeastern Syria. It was a main ally of the United States in the fight against the Islamic State group. The Syrian government has repeatedly demanded the SDF surrender control to Damascus.