Rojava Official Warns of 'War of Extermination' as Syrian Army Escalates in Kurdish Neighborhoods of Aleppo

Peregraf - A senior official from the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) on Wednesday warned of what she described as a "war of extermination against the Kurds," following an unprecedented escalation by Syria’s interim government forces against Kurdish-majority neighborhoods in northern Aleppo.

Elham Ahmed, a leading figure in the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) and its co-chair of foreign relations, said Syria’s defense ministry has effectively declared war on the Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods, which are densely populated civilian areas.

In a post on X, Ahmed stated that the move targets neighborhoods whose residents are "mostly civilians and forcibly displaced people," many of whom fled from the predominantly Kurdish region of Afrin after earlier military operations there. She described the escalation as "a war of extermination against the Kurds, who have already suffered under the injustices of the former Baath regime."

Her remarks came after the Syrian army announced that all military outposts it claims belong to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Kurdish-majority areas of northern Aleppo are considered "legitimate military targets." Kurdish authorities have repeatedly denied the presence of SDF military positions inside the Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods.

Ahmed said forces affiliated with Syria’s defense ministry have already imposed a "tight siege" on the two districts. She accused Damascus of violating the April 1 ceasefire agreement, stressing that despite Kurdish forces’ commitment to the accord, the interim authorities "have not upheld the agreement and have ignored persistent attempts at dialogue."

Calling on Syrian officials to intervene, Ahmed urged the government "to take responsibility for what is unfolding and to pursue reason and logic, resolving complex problems through dialogue rather than war and conflict." She added: "Syrians have suffered enough from wars."

Clashes, Casualties, and Civilian Impact

Intermittent clashes continue between the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) operating in the Kurdish neighborhoods and armed groups affiliated with the Damascus government. So far, at least eight people from both sides have been reported killed, with dozens more injured—most of them civilians.

In a statement that signals further escalation, a body identifying itself as the Syrian Arab Army Operations accused the SDF of being an "organization" responsible for "numerous massacres against civilians," and reiterated that "all military positions within the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh are legitimate military targets."

Syrian official media also called on civilians in the two neighborhoods to "immediately distance themselves" from what it described as SDF positions, announcing the opening of two humanitarian corridors for displaced residents until 3:00 PM.

Akhin Nojan, commander of the Internal Security Forces in Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh, rejected the accusations, saying Kurdish forces were acting defensively. "We are being attacked, and we are defending ourselves," Nojan said in a public address. While stressing that his forces do not seek war, he added: "We are ready for defense and will sacrifice ourselves for our people."

Nojan said the morale of Kurdish fighters remains high, noting that wounded personnel have returned to their positions after receiving treatment. "We assure our people that we have a strong will," he said.

Conflicting Claims and Humanitarian Concerns

According to official figures from the SDF Media Center, four people have been killed and more than 30 injured—most of them women and children—due to what it described as indiscriminate shelling by forces affiliated with the Syrian government.

Farhad Shami, head of the SDF Media Center, accused pro-government forces of "disregarding civilian lives and turning residential neighborhoods into battlefields."

Syrian state media, meanwhile, reported the deaths of four people and injuries to more than 10 others in shelling attributed to Kurdish security forces, stating that some of the casualties were civilians.

Hawar News Agency (ANHA), which is close to the SDF, reported that Othman Hospital in the Ashrafiyeh neighborhood has been put completely out of service after being directly shelled by armed groups affiliated with the Syrian interim government.

ANHA also reported continued shelling of Sheikh Maqsood, Ashrafiyeh, and Bani Zaid neighborhoods by factions including the Hamzat Division, the Amshat, the Sultan Murad Brigade, and the Nour al-Din al-Zenki movement—groups it said receive direct support from Turkey.

Displacement and Risk of Wider Conflict

As fighting intensifies, a new wave of displacement has begun, with hundreds of families fleeing their homes to other parts of Aleppo amid fears that the conflict could expand.

The clashes have continued since Tuesday evening, and observers say no serious mediation efforts have yet materialized. On the contrary, the latest statement from the Syrian Arab Army Operations suggests that fighting may escalate further unless urgent steps are taken to impose a ceasefire and initiate dialogue.