Aleppo, Syria, January 24, 2026 – Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib declared on Friday evening that life is steadily returning to normal in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of northern Aleppo city, following the expulsion of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its affiliate YPG militia. The announcement, carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), highlights significant progress in restoring security, infrastructure, and essential services after intense clashes earlier this month that displaced tens of thousands and disrupted civilian life.
Governor al-Gharib stated that the conclusion of the emergency humanitarian response phase, combined with the full restoration of security and stability, has enabled a gradual normalization process. He reported that more than 90% of displaced residents have already returned to their homes, signaling a rapid rebound in community confidence. The neighborhoods, long under SDF/YPG control and functioning as semi-autonomous enclaves amid Syria's complex civil war dynamics, saw dramatic changes following military operations by the Syrian Army.
The turning point came on January 10, 2026, when Syrian government forces successfully liberated Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh after days of heavy fighting. Clashes erupted around January 6-7, escalating into full-scale operations by January 7, with the Syrian Army declaring SDF/Asayish positions as "legitimate military targets." Reports from multiple sources, including Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency, detailed intense artillery exchanges, shelling of civilian areas—including the Othman Hospital in Sheikh Maqsoud, which killed at least eight civilians and injured dozens—and the use of combined arms assaults. Turkish drones reportedly provided support to Syrian ground forces during incursions.
By January 10-11, the last groups of SDF/YPG fighters were evacuated on buses to northeastern Syria, particularly toward Tabqah, under coordinated withdrawal arrangements. Syrian state media and officials described the neighborhoods as fully cleared and under army control, ending what Damascus portrayed as a necessary operation to counter shelling from SDF positions that targeted residential areas, civilian facilities, and military sites in Aleppo. Official figures cited 23 deaths, over 100 injuries, and the displacement of approximately 165,000 residents from Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, and nearby districts during the escalation.
The military success in Aleppo paved the way for broader negotiations. On Tuesday, January 20 or 21 (reports vary slightly on exact date), the Syrian presidency announced a "mutual understanding" with the SDF, encompassing wide-ranging military, administrative, and political integration mechanisms. Implementation reportedly began that same evening, building on earlier stalled talks from March 2025 aimed at reintegrating Kurdish forces into state institutions. The agreement followed a rapid Syrian Army offensive in eastern and northeastern Syria starting around January 13, which reclaimed large territories from SDF control, including villages and towns in Aleppo province and beyond.
This integration framework, described in some analyses as negotiated "over the barrel of a gun" due to military pressure, includes provisions for SDF withdrawal from certain areas, incorporation of its fighters into the Syrian Arab Army and Interior Ministry, and central government oversight of previously autonomous regions. A subsequent four-day ceasefire was agreed upon in late January, though sporadic clashes persisted in some areas despite the truce. The deal reflects Damascus's push to consolidate control over the country amid the transitional period following regime changes and ongoing stabilization efforts.
In his Friday statement, Governor al-Gharib outlined concrete steps toward recovery in the liberated neighborhoods:
- The Ashrafieh Post Office has reopened, resuming postal services and civil registry functions essential for residents to access official documents and daily needs.
- In transportation, three public bus lines have been reactivated to improve mobility, while roads previously blocked by earthen or concrete barriers erected during SDF control have been cleared, enhancing traffic flow and connectivity within and to the neighborhoods.
- Electricity infrastructure has seen substantial rehabilitation, with 80% of the network restored and maintained. Power lines are being progressively re-energized, alleviating hardships caused by prolonged outages and positively affecting household and commercial life.
- Education efforts are advancing, with rehabilitation work underway on 10 schools set to reopen at the start of the second academic term, enabling students to return to classrooms in a secure environment after months of disruption.
These measures are part of a coordinated effort by local authorities, the Syrian Army, and state institutions to hand over facilities, stabilize security, and facilitate civilian returns. Al-Gharib emphasized ongoing field work to ensure sustained normalcy, reassuring residents that Aleppo is now safe and poised for further improvement.
The developments in Aleppo are viewed as a microcosm of Syria's broader transition. The SDF, long backed by the United States in the fight against ISIS and controlling resource-rich northeastern territories, has faced mounting pressure to align with Damascus. International observers, including UN officials, have called for swift, peaceful implementation of integration agreements to avoid further displacement and protect minority rights, particularly for Kurdish communities.
While pro-government sources celebrate the restoration of state authority and the end of "terrorist" enclaves (referring to YPG/SDF), Kurdish activists and some Western reports have expressed concerns over forced evacuations, civilian casualties during operations, and the implications for Kurdish autonomy. Protests erupted in Kurdish-majority areas in Turkey and solidarity demonstrations occurred elsewhere in Syria, highlighting lingering tensions.
As reconstruction accelerates in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, the focus shifts to sustaining momentum through inclusive governance, service delivery, and addressing humanitarian needs. With over 90% resident return rates and infrastructure revival underway, these neighborhoods offer a tentative sign of stabilization in a country long fractured by conflict. The success of integration efforts in the northeast will likely determine whether this localized recovery can scale nationally.
