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The Syrian Army announced it has retaken the last SDF-held neighborhood in Aleppo following a major military operation against the PKK/YPG terrorist group, operating under the name of the SDF in the Sheikh Maqsoud district.
The Syrian Army announced Saturday the completion of a full security sweep of the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood amid escalation with the SDF.
The neighborhood represented the final SDF-held territory in Aleppo following the terrorist organization's retreat before advancing Syrian forces.
During the operation, the SDF seized civilian infrastructure, including Yassin Hospital in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood, expelled its medical staff, and converted the facility into a military stronghold before being dislodged by Syrian forces.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Syria's Health Ministry stated: "The PKK terrorist organization and armed groups affiliated with it expelled staff and doctors from Yassin Hospital in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of the city of Aleppo and turned it into a military point they are fortifying themselves in, after fleeing before the Syrian Arab Army."
The ministry warned civilians against approaching the facility, stressing safety concerns.
Aleppo Health Director Muhammad Jumaa characterized the seizure as a severe violation, saying, "The PKK terrorist organization and armed groups affiliated with it expelled medical staff from Yassin Hospital in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood and turned it into a military point, in a blatant violation of all international and humanitarian laws that protect health facilities and medical personnel."
Jumaa stated the incident "constitutes a serious crime against the health sector, endangers the lives of civilians and patients, and deprives residents of their basic right to medical care," stressing that "these groups bear full responsibility for the safety of medical staff and health property."
Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa condemned the widespread use of civilian facilities for military purposes, stating: "Armed groups affiliated with the SDF and the PKK organization turned a number of civilian facilities in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood into military strongholds and are still using them to launch attacks that deliberately put innocent civilians in the line of fire."
Mustafa described the terrorist organization's desperation as they were pushed back: "As units of the Syrian Army advance and have successfully cleared most combat positions inside the neighborhood, some desperate remnants of these groups are now digging in inside hospitals and medical centers, cynically using patients, medical staff, and those sheltering there as human shields."
The minister emphasized the critical nature of civilian protection: "We categorically affirm the absolute necessity of fully protecting civilians and keeping them out of any military confrontation, and of preventing the use of vital public facilities—especially hospitals and medical centers—in any military, political, or media game."
Mustafa underscored the legal and moral imperative: "This is a clear requirement under international humanitarian law and a moral duty owed to every innocent life at risk."
Jumaa urged civilians "not to approach the hospital to ensure their safety," and called on international and humanitarian organizations "to clearly and explicitly condemn these violations and work to ensure the protection of health facilities and prevent their use in military actions."
The Syrian Army completed a comprehensive security operation, with the military "combing more than 90% of Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood," according to SANA, citing military sources.
"Our forces arrested several SDF members and seized heavy and medium weapons, large quantities of ammunition, light arms, and explosive devices prepared for detonation," military sources stated.
The Syrian Army's Operations Command issued urgent instructions to remaining civilians in the neighborhood: "Remain in your homes and not go outside, due to SDF and PKK terrorist elements hiding among them." The command added that civilians could reach out to forces on the ground for emergencies or to report the presence of suspects.
SANA quoted an unnamed source as saying: "Internal Security Forces have begun entering the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood, in coordination with army forces, to complete search and security operations."
The state-run Syrian Alikhbaria channel reported that security forces have been deployed in the eastern part of the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood following the Operations Command's announcement that the area had been fully swept.
Aleppo's Internal Security Commander Mohammad Abdul Ghani conducted a tour of the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood and met with a number of local residents.
Since Tuesday, when the SDF launched major offensive operations, the terrorist group shelled residential neighborhoods, civilian facilities, and Syrian Army positions in Aleppo. The attacks have killed nine people and wounded 55 others, and triggered the displacement of about 165,000 residents from the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods.
Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib stated authorities "are continuing their field operations around the clock to stabilize security and ensure the return of normal life in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods."
Gharib urged residents to comply with official instructions: "We call on our citizens to fully adhere to the instructions issued by the competent authorities."
Gharib confirmed that movement restrictions remain in place: "We affirm the continuation of the curfew in the areas announced by the Operations Command until further directives are issued."
Regarding displaced residents, al-Gharib stated: "We ask our displaced citizens not to head to the mentioned neighborhoods at the present time, except after prior coordination with the Aleppo Response Committee, in order to ensure their safety and organize their safe return."
On March 10, the Syrian presidency announced the signing of an agreement for the SDF's integration into state institutions, reaffirming the country's territorial unity and rejecting any attempts at division.
However, authorities stated that in the months since, the SDF has not shown any efforts to meet the terms of the agreement. Instead, the terrorist organization escalated military operations against government-controlled neighborhoods and civilian areas, ultimately resulting in its expulsion from Aleppo's last held territory.
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The government has intensified efforts to maintain security across the country since the ouster of the Assad regime in December 2024, after 24 years in power.
The Syrian Army announced a halt to all military operations inside Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood starting at 3 p.m. (12 p.m. GMT), according to SANA, signifying the completion of the military operation in the neighborhood.
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