The Syrian government faces no significant military obstacle in dealing with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud districts of Aleppo, according to military expert General Fayez al-Duwairi. However, Damascus is proceeding with extreme caution, mindful of international scrutiny regarding the treatment of minorities.
Recent clashes have escalated, with the Syrian Army reportedly turning Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud into a closed military zone. According to military sources, all SDF military positions within Aleppo’s neighborhoods are considered legitimate targets, following renewed shelling of residential areas and intensified clashes between the two sides.
Rather than launching a full-scale military operation, the government is conducting what it describes as a security operation aimed at controlling armed groups allegedly responsible for attacks on Syrian forces, civilians, and infrastructure within Aleppo.
These groups are expected to engage in disruptive tactics to hinder the advance of government forces. Al-Duwairi suggests the government’s strategy will likely involve isolating and encircling the area, which is relatively small compared to the overall size of Aleppo and located away from major supply routes.
Al-Duwairi emphasizes that the primary challenge for the Syrian government isn’t the military capabilities of these armed groups, but rather the intense international focus on its handling of minority populations. The presence of three distinct sectarian groups – Druze, Alawites, and Kurds – in three volatile regions (Sweida, the coast, and the north, respectively) necessitates a cautious approach to these clashes.
While these groups are unlikely to withstand a sustained government encirclement, al-Duwairi believes that time is ultimately on the government’s side. However, he cautions that the government will face significant challenges if civilian casualties occur during the operation. The international community is watching closely. Any misstep could have serious repercussions.
