Clashes erupted around al-Sheikhan and al-Layramoun roundabouts in Aleppo today, Tuesday, 6 January, involving medium and heavy weapons fire between the Syrian army and the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), resulting in dead and wounded.
An Enab Baladi correspondent said the fighting came hours after scattered attacks hit several neighborhoods in the city since the morning.
The correspondent added that a shell landed near the Directorate of Agriculture in the al-Midan neighborhood, adjacent to Sheikh Maqsoud, killing two civilians and injuring three others who were taken to al-Razi Hospital for treatment.
Aleppo Health Directorate said the preliminary toll from shelling carried out by SDF forces on several Aleppo neighborhoods was three killed and two wounded.
The correspondent noted that the road connecting al-Layramoun and al-Sheikhan roundabouts was completely cut off due to the security tensions, amid a state of caution and anticipation among civilians in the area.
He also reported that a new wave of residents began leaving al-Ashrafieh neighborhood, while security forces and police continued implementing measures in the area, alongside instructions for residents to stay away from flashpoints and avoid gathering on main streets.
Aleppo’s Media Directorate issued a statement accusing the SDF of violating agreements signed with the Syrian government. It said its forces were targeted near al-Sheikhan roundabout, killing one Defense Ministry member and injuring three others.
The directorate urged residents to stay away from contact lines and avoid gatherings in areas near al-Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods until the area is fully secured.
It also stressed the importance of cooperating with security forces and police who are working to regulate traffic in the city’s streets.
SDF accuses the government
For its part, the SDF issued a statement regarding the shell that fell in al-Midan neighborhood. It said the shell was fired by factions affiliated with the Damascus government and was intended to hit Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood, but instead landed in the adjacent al-Midan area.
The SDF described the shelling as “indiscriminate” and said it constituted a direct attack on residential neighborhoods, putting civilians’ lives at serious risk.
The statement added that this conduct reflects, in its words, “complete disregard for humanitarian law,” holding the executing party fully responsible for any damage or consequences resulting from the shelling.
The Asayish also issued a statement about a new escalation in residential neighborhoods in the north of the city.
It said armed factions affiliated with the interim government had, a short while earlier, targeted Sheikh Maqsoud and al-Ashrafieh neighborhoods with heavy weapons and Grad rockets.
According to the statement, the attacks caused significant material damage and fueled fear and tension among civilians.
It described the actions as a “clear violation of the agreements and ceasefire in place,” and held the armed factions responsible for an escalation that threatens residents’ lives and affects stability in the area.
In parallel, Syria’s al-Ikhbariya channel reported that the Aleppo to Gaziantep road near al-Layramoun roundabout was closed in Aleppo city after SDF forces targeted elements affiliated with the Defense Ministry, halting traffic in the area.
Al-Ikhbariya also said an SDF ammunition depot in the vicinity of Sheikh Maqsoud was destroyed after being struck with an “appropriate weapon,” in response to SDF shelling of Aleppo neighborhoods.
Clashes follow earlier tensions
Aleppo saw a notable security escalation this morning, Tuesday, 6 January, centered on Sheikh Maqsoud and al-Ashrafieh neighborhoods and the al-Layramoun and al-Sheikhan roundabouts, alongside developments in the eastern countryside near Deir Hafer (east of Aleppo).
The tensions began with a series of scattered attacks, some of which hit Sheikh Maqsoud since the early morning hours.
Eastern Aleppo countryside near Deir Hafer also saw a field escalation and mutual accusations between the government and the SDF, after a Military Police checkpoint was targeted with drones.
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