Syrian army conduct security sweeps in Aleppo to neutralise explosives left behind by SDF

Key Concepts

• SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces): Kurdish-backed forces that previously controlled areas within Aleppo and are now regrouping in Haka.
• Aleppo: Syria’s largest city, recently brought under full Syrian government control following clashes with the SDF.
• Shik Maksoud & Ashrafir: Two neighborhoods in Aleppo that were the focal points of the recent conflict.
• Integration: The planned, but currently stalled, integration of the SDF into the Syrian army and state institutions.
• National Unity: The Syrian government’s stated goal in addressing the SDF situation, framing the operation as “law enforcement” rather than a military victory.

Securing Aleppo: Aftermath of Clashes and the Future of SDF Integration

The Syrian government has secured control of Aleppo following a ceasefire that ended five days of fighting with the SDF. Government forces are currently focused on securing the city, specifically searching for explosives, weapons caches, and individuals arrested during the Assad regime’s fall. Reports indicate the discovery of a vehicle laden with mortar shells and suicide drones. Residents are beginning to return to neighborhoods like Ashrafir, while access to Shik Maksoud remains restricted due to ongoing searches.

Aftermath in Aleppo: Neighborhood by Neighborhood

Ashrafir has largely been cleared, with many residents returning home. The situation in Shik Maksoud is different; access is limited as the government searches for evidence of SDF operations and seeks to locate prisoners held during the previous regime – civil activists and opposition fighters. The SDF controlled Shik Maksoud for approximately 14 years, making the search for evidence a significant undertaking. Reports also indicate SDF and government forces are regrouping approximately 50 kilometers east of Aleppo, though no further clashes have been reported at this time.

SDF Justification for Withdrawal & Accusations

The SDF stated their withdrawal from Shik Maksoud was a response to Syrian government shelling of civilian areas, including hospitals and schools. The Syrian government vehemently denies these accusations. The SDF maintains they have not surrendered and will continue resistance through other means, evidenced by a reported hack of the Syrian information ministry website. This action, coupled with the regrouping east of Aleppo, suggests the integration of SDF forces remains a significant challenge, despite previous agreements aiming for integration almost a year ago.

Government Messaging & Strategic Victory

The Syrian government is framing the recapture of Aleppo as a strategic victory focused on national unity, characterizing the operation as a “limited law enforcement operation.” Government officials emphasize that their issue is not with the Kurdish people, who they consider an integral part of Syrian society. However, concerns remain that the clashes in Aleppo could escalate into a broader conflict between the SDF and Damascus.

SDF Strength & Potential for Conflict

The SDF possesses a substantial fighting force, estimated between 50,000 and 100,000 fighters, who are well-trained and equipped by the United States. This formidable force raises the stakes significantly, making a potential conflict extremely bloody. The events in Aleppo represent a “watershed moment” to determine whether a peaceful integration of the SDF is possible or if a larger conflict will erupt.

Integration Timeline & Current Obstacles

In March of last year, the SDF and Damascus held a meeting where the SDF agreed to integrate into Syrian state institutions by the end of 2025. This deadline has passed without integration occurring. Violence in Aleppo and, reportedly, in the southern city of Sueida, may be increasing the SDF’s reluctance to disarm. The government’s increased fighting against the SDF further complicates the situation, raising fears of a broader conflict detrimental to Syria’s national unity – the government’s stated priority.

Quote: “This is a watershed moment to see whether the events in Aleppo will instigate a peaceful integration of the SDF or indeed spark a larger conflict in Syria.” – Ammon Oana, Al Jazeera Correspondent in Damascus.

Conclusion

The Syrian government’s control of Aleppo marks a significant strategic victory, but the future remains uncertain. The stalled integration of the SDF, coupled with ongoing tensions and the SDF’s regrouping, presents a substantial risk of further conflict. The government’s emphasis on national unity is a key element of its messaging, but the path towards achieving that unity through the integration of a powerful and potentially resistant force like the SDF remains fraught with challenges.