Syrian Army Nears End of Major Clearance Operation in Aleppo

The Syrian Arab Army has announced its large-scale clearance operation in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood is almost complete. Military command stated the operation aims to clear the area of mines and remnants left by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF is a U.S.-backed Kurdish-led militia organization. A public warning urges all civilians in the neighborhood to stay indoors and avoid going outside. The army says the order is for safety, citing the possible presence of remaining SDF members and what it calls "terrorist" elements. The operation's conclusion would mark a significant military consolidation of the area by Syrian government forces.