Groups affiliated with the Damascus Interim Government are imposing a heavy blockade on the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods of Aleppo, and Kurdish youths are being kidnapped. The residents of both neighborhoods have organized demonstrations demanding the lifting of the blockade and an end to the attacks. Forces affiliated with the Interim Government attacked the protesters, injuring many civilians.
Speaking to ANF about the attacks and pressure against Afrin, Sheikh Maqsoud, and Ashrafiyah, Ibrahim Sheikho drew attention to the conduct of the Damascus Interim Government toward the two neighborhoods. He explained that although agreements were signed between the General Assembly of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods and the Damascus Interim Government, the blockade continues.
“In the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods, around 500,000 citizens, most of them Kurds, are trying to maintain and sustain their daily lives. The people of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah are being threatened using the blockade. At checkpoints, most civilians are detained without any charges. Moreover, an agreement signed on April 1, 2025, between the General Assembly of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya and the Damascus Interim Government affirmed the neighborhoods’ autonomy. However, the Damascus government has violated and continues to violate this agreement. The people of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah have been threatened, and as a result, on October 6, clashes broke out between residents and members of the Interim Government, leading to the death of two civilians and the injury of many others,” he said.
The goal is to empty both neighborhoods
Sheikho reported that militia groups affiliated with Emshat and Al-Hamzat have set up checkpoints around the neighborhoods and are arresting young people there. He said: “The Emshat and Al-Hamzat groups, which are linked to the Turkish state, established checkpoints around both neighborhoods. Clashes erupted, and at these checkpoints, they are detaining Kurdish youths. In recent days, they have increased the number of checkpoints and tortured many Kurdish young people. A woman was also tortured at one of these checkpoints. They are threatening to kill civilians, children, and residents. These violations around the two neighborhoods aim to depopulate Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah.”
If the Interim Government is not with them, what measures is it taking?
Recalling previous attacks, Sheikho continued: “Between 2013 and 2016, dozens of militia groups declared alliances and jointly attacked the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods. Now, they want to repeat those attacks. The stance of the Interim Government on this matter is unclear, which raises an important question: if the Interim Government is not acting together with them, what measures is it taking against these groups?”
The Damascus Interim Government has closed the roads to North and East Syria
Ibrahim pointed out that many sides do not want the 1 April Agreement to succeed, and said: “Since this agreement concerns all of Syria, the Autonomous Administration has expressed its support for its success. However, the militia groups linked to the Turkish state, such as Emshat and Al-Hamzat, do not want it to succeed. When agreements are signed, Syrian officials travel to Turkey and make press statements in line with decisions made there. Today, the roads connecting Deir Hafir and Damascus to the North and East Syria regions have been closed by the Damascus government. This blockade prevents people from meeting their basic needs. Just a few hours after the ceasefire agreement reached following the clashes at the entrances of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah, militias affiliated with Al-Emshat detained a Kurdish youth at a checkpoint. Such incidents of arrest and abduction are occurring frequently.”
International organizations must document the violations
Emphasizing the role of international organizations and institutions in stopping such practices, Ibrahim Sheikho stated: “Today, what is required from international organizations and institutions is to document and expose these violations and attacks. Furthermore, these documents must be delivered to international investigation committees to ensure justice. If these records do not reach the relevant bodies and if attention is not paid to these issues, the situation will lead to an even larger and more severe crisis.”