The heavy attacks on the Kurdish districts of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah in Aleppo left dramatic traces of destruction visible. Residential buildings, shops, and public facilities were severely damaged in some cases. The nighttime attacks hit densely populated areas. The day after, rubble, shattered windows, and impact craters dominated the scene on the ground.
An AHNA correspondent reported a night full of explosions as heavy artillery, tanks, and rocket launchers fired on residential areas. The eastern part of Sheikh Maqsoud was particularly hard hit by the attacks. Numerous houses there are no longer habitable. Residential and commercial buildings in Ashrafiyah were also damaged. Remains of artillery shells visible on site confirm the massive use of heavy weapons in civilian areas.
Number of injured rises again
According to local health authorities, at least 19 civilians were injured in the attacks, including three children aged nine, 13, and 15, and four women. Six members of the Internal Security Forces were also wounded. A 57-year-old woman, Fadwa Mohammed al-Kurdi, was killed. On Tuesday morning, the situation appeared to have calmed down again.
Attacks carried out by factions loyal to Turkey
According to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and Internal Security Forces, the attacks were carried out by Turkish-backed factions affiliated with the Ministry of Defense in Damascus. The Islamist transitional government claimed that the attacks were carried out by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which rejected this allegation and accused the fragmented factions affiliated with the Damascus government of deliberately creating crises and repeatedly carrying out provocations and attacks against civilians.
Internal Security Forces: Targeted provocation by the Damascus government
The Internal Security Forces consider the attacks to be a “targeted provocation” aimed at escalating the situation. “The attacks on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah are part of a comprehensive attempt to draw our forces into armed conflict,” said Commander Axîn Nûcan. The violence against the Kurdish districts of Aleppo coincided with a visit by a Turkish government delegation to Damascus.