Washington / Aleppo, January 10, 2026 – U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope for peace in Syria and urged an immediate halt to renewed fighting in the northern city of Aleppo, where Syrian government forces are battling to regain control of the last SDF-held neighborhood, Sheikh Maqsoud.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump said: “We want to see Syria succeed. And so far, I think they are succeeding, but this is just breaking out, and we want to see that stopped.” He added that the United States “gets along” with both the Kurds (referring to the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF) and the Syrian government, signaling Washington’s desire to avoid escalation while the country transitions following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The comments come amid intense clashes that erupted on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, when units of the YPG-dominated SDF launched attacks from the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud against residential areas, civilian facilities, and Syrian army positions in Aleppo. The Syrian Arab Army responded with a large-scale military operation to retake the areas. By Friday evening, January 9, government forces had regained control of Ashrafieh and most of Sheikh Maqsoud, leaving only the core of Sheikh Maqsoud under SDF control.
Syrian state media and military sources reported heavy fighting, including artillery exchanges and street battles. The Syrian Ministry of Defense stated that the operation was necessary to protect civilians and enforce national unity after the SDF failed to implement the terms of the March 10, 2025, agreement.
That agreement, announced by the Syrian presidency and mediated by the United States, called for the gradual integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into state institutions, the recognition of Syria’s territorial integrity, and the rejection of any division or federalism. The deal was intended to end the de facto Kurdish autonomy in the northeast and bring the SDF under the authority of the central government in Damascus.
Syrian authorities have repeatedly accused the SDF of stalling implementation, continuing to maintain parallel security and administrative structures, and refusing to hand over key border crossings and oil fields. The SDF, in turn, has accused Damascus of violating the spirit of the agreement by attempting to impose full control without guarantees for Kurdish political and cultural rights.
The fighting in Aleppo marks the most significant breach of the fragile post-Assad calm since the March agreement. Analysts warn that failure to de-escalate could unravel the U.S.-brokered deal and reignite broader conflict between the new Syrian government and the Kurdish-led administration in the northeast.
The renewed clashes have also raised concerns about civilian safety in Aleppo, a city that endured years of devastating war under the Assad regime. Local reports indicate displacement of residents from contested neighborhoods and disruptions to essential services. Humanitarian organizations have called for safe corridors and protection for civilians caught in the crossfire.
Trump’s statement reflects the U.S. administration’s continued engagement in Syria, where Washington maintains a military presence in support of the SDF in the northeast. The U.S. has long viewed the SDF as a key partner in the fight against ISIS remnants, while also seeking to prevent the resurgence of jihadist groups and counter Iranian influence.
The president’s call for peace comes as the Syrian government, led by an interim administration following Assad’s ouster, continues to consolidate control across the country. Since December 2024, Damascus has intensified security operations, border management, and reconstruction efforts, while navigating complex relations with Turkey, Russia, Iran, and the United States.
The situation in Aleppo remains fluid, with government forces reportedly preparing a final push into Sheikh Maqsoud. The SDF has not issued an official statement on the latest clashes as of Friday evening, but local Kurdish sources indicate they are defending the neighborhood against what they describe as “aggression” by Damascus.
International observers, including the United Nations and regional mediators, have urged both sides to return to dialogue and respect the March 2025 agreement to avoid further bloodshed. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the renewed fighting in Aleppo becomes a localized incident or the start of a broader unraveling of Syria’s fragile post-Assad transition.
