The Media Center of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported that, for several days, groups affiliated with the Damascus Government have been attempting to provoke their forces, engaging in suspicious movements across various areas, particularly in the vicinity of the town of Deir Hafer and its surrounding villages, persistently violating the ceasefire despite the SDF forces’ continued patience and restraint in the face of these ongoing provocations.
The SDF warned that they will be compelled to respond within the framework of legitimate self-defense should these forces persist in targeting their forces.
In addition, other groups have, for several days, been amassing around the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, increasing their patrols and conducting near-constant drone flights over the area in an overt and explicit act of provocation. One such drone has been detonated on the outskirts of the neighborhood, according to the statement.
“These actions constitute a breach of the ceasefire and contradict the spirit of the agreement signed between the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh Neighborhood Council and the Damascus Government on April 1 of this year. They have been met with condemnation by the residents of both neighborhoods and place the safety of civilians at risk,” SDF stated.
The SDF called upon the Syrian Government to rein in the behavior of these unruly elements, not to cause the collapse of the agreements and understandings reached, to refrain from any actions that could escalate tensions, and to preserve civil peace throughout the city of Aleppo and all other areas.