Hundreds of civilians displaced by fierce fighting in the Syrian city of Aleppo have begun returning to their homes, as a fragile calm takes hold following days of deadly clashes between government troops and Kurdish-led forces.
Neighbourhoods Secured After Intense Combat
The violence erupted on 6 January 2026 in the predominantly Kurdish districts of Achrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, and Bani Zeid. It followed a breakdown in negotiations to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the national army. The fighting, which involved shelling and drone strikes, resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.
By Monday, 12 January 2026, Syrian security forces had captured the three neighbourhoods. Armed personnel stood guard as traffic resumed and buses carried displaced families back into Achrafieh. Many shops reopened, though residents reported ongoing electricity cuts.
Residents Return Amid Lingering Tensions
Masoud Battal, the Syrian government's director for the Afrin region, stated that about 10 buses carrying 700 families returned to Achrafieh on Monday. The majority of the estimated 148,000 displaced had initially fled to the Afrin district in northwest Aleppo province.
One returning resident, Mohammed Sheikho, said, "I left Achrafieh five days ago. I was in Afrin and now we’re returning to our homes, thank God." Another, Jamal al-Youssef, an Arab resident who fled with his family, welcomed the government's control but was quick to note communal harmony, stating, "We have three or four Kurdish families in my building and we don’t feel there’s any difference between us."
Clean-up operations were underway in Sheikh Maqsoud, where crews worked to clear explosives and destroyed vehicles. Security forces also inspected tunnels apparently used by fighters.
A Fragile Deal and Military Posturing
The recent combat marked the most intense flare-up since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Over the weekend, a deal was struck allowing hundreds of Kurdish fighters to evacuate from Aleppo to SDF-controlled northeastern Syria.
However, tensions remain high. Syria's state-run SANA news agency reported on Monday evening that the army sent reinforcements east of Aleppo, citing a perceived buildup of SDF forces near the towns of Maskana and Deir Hafer. The SDF denied any military movements, calling the claims "entirely unfounded" and accusing the government of manufacturing a pretext for escalation.
The SDF, a long-time US partner against the Islamic State, is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey due to its links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Some factions in the new Syrian army were previously Turkey-backed insurgent groups with a history of conflict with Kurdish forces.
