First Responders Arrive in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud After Days of Deadly Fighting

After intense clashes in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood, first responders assist returning residents by clearing rubble and disarming mines. The fighting resulted in significant casualties and displacement.

Residents of Aleppo's contested neighbourhood began returning on Sunday after intense clashes between government and Kurdish-led forces. The conflict, which erupted on Tuesday, centred around the predominantly Kurdish areas of Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh, and Bani Zaid. The fighting was the fiercest since the fall of then-President Bashar Assad to insurgents in December 2024.

First responders have entered the area to assist residents, clear debris, and disarm mines. The clashes resulted in at least 23 deaths over five days and displaced more than 140,000 people amid shelling and drone attacks. Security forces have since taken control of Achrafieh and Bani Zaid.

Security Forces Capture Key Areas

Kurdish fighters have withdrawn from Sheikh Maqsoud to northeastern Syria, under SDF control. They issued a statement declaring their intention to continue fighting after evacuating the wounded and civilians during a "partial ceasefire." The neighbourhood appeared calm on Sunday.

Journalists were escorted by government security forces to view the devastated area. They observed damage at Khalid al-Fajer Hospital and an SDF military position targeted by government forces. The SDF accused the government of repeatedly targeting the hospital before evacuations occurred.

Accusations and Evacuations

Damascus countered these claims, accusing the Kurdish-led group of using civilian facilities as military positions. On one street, Syrian Red Crescent first responders spoke with a resident amidst charred vehicles and heavily damaged buildings. Some residents reported that SDF forces blocked their cars at checkpoints.

"We lived a night of horror. I still cannot believe that I am right here standing on my own two feet," said Ahmad Shaikho. "So far the situation has been calm. There hasn't been any gunfire."

Mine Clearance Efforts

The Syrian Civil Defence is working to disarm improvised mines left by Kurdish forces as booby traps. Residents who fled are not permitted to return until all mines are cleared. This situation reminded some of past displacements during Syria's prolonged civil war.

"I want to go back to my home, I beg you," said Hoda Alnasiri.

The return of residents marks a tentative step towards normalcy after days of violence. However, tensions remain high as both sides accuse each other of targeting civilian areas during the conflict.

With inputs from PTI