Vital infrastructure in Northern Syria has paralyzed following a lethal surge in combat. Aleppo violence reignited on Tuesday, killing at least four people and shattering a fragile regional truce.
This sudden escalation has forced aviation officials to ground all planes. The General Authority of Civil Aviation suspended flights to and from the city’s airport for 24 hours.
Consequently, all incoming air traffic will divert to Damascus until security teams deem the area safe.
Impact on Civilians and Infrastructure
The fighting has triggered an immediate, citywide lockdown. Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib ordered a total suspension of public activities for Wednesday.
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Schools and universities remain closed.
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Government departments have halted operations.
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Residents are sheltering in place.
According to the state news agency SANA, the crossfire has already claimed four lives. Casualties include three civilians and one army soldier, with numerous others injured.
This bloodshed marks a significant setback for the region. It highlights the volatility remaining after the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad over a year ago.
Roots of the Aleppo Violence
Diplomatic failures appear to be the primary driver of this conflict. Officials recently missed a critical deadline to merge the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with the central government’s army.
The window to implement this integration closed at the end of 2025.
Negotiations have hit a wall regarding autonomy. The SDF has spent 14 years securing vital oil resources and managing Islamic State prisons. They remain hesitant to surrender this leverage to the central command.
Meanwhile, observers fear this instability could provoke external threats. Continued chaos may invite intervention from Turkey, which views the Kurdish-led SDF as a terrorist organization.
Mutual Accusations of Shelling
Both sides are currently trading blame for the first shot. The Syrian defense ministry issued a statement accusing Kurdish forces of targeting residential zones and army positions.
Conversely, the SDF rejected these claims. They argued that government-aligned factions utilized “indiscriminate” artillery and missile fire.
Nouri Sheikho, a local official, confirmed that heavy weaponry, including tanks, had been deployed in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods.
He told reporters that “clashes had resumed… after a brief pause and that communication with the Damascus government was underway to bring a halt to the violence.”
Currently, the situation remains fluid as residents brace for further unrest.
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