The head of Internal Security in Aleppo, Colonel Mohammad Abdel Ghani, has announced that his forces have secured the Sheikh Maqsoud district after clearing it of armed elements linked to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The announcement marks a significant shift in control within the northern Syrian city.
In a statement, Colonel Abdel Ghani emphasized that the deployment of Internal Security forces is aimed at safeguarding civilians and confiscating unauthorized weapons. He asserted that the Syrian state “will not allow the exploitation of sectarian or ethnic issues for personal gain.”
He further stated that Syria does not discriminate between sects or ethnicities, accusing certain entities and parties of attempting to exploit these issues to serve their own agendas, which he described as “unacceptable.”
The Internal Security chief indicated that the deployment followed a year of attempts through various agreements to address the issue of unregulated arms, stressing that the ultimate goal is to ensure that all weapons are under state control. He also highlighted the strict instructions from the Ministry of Interior regarding adherence to professional conduct, warning that any violations by security personnel would be met with legal measures and penalties.
Colonel Abdel Ghani revealed that security agencies have received information indicating that SDF members are hiding inside a tunnel near Yassin Hospital in the Sheikh Maqsoud district, and that this information is being actively investigated as part of ongoing security operations.
The move comes after reports of coordination with the Syrian Army. The United States envoy to Syria, Tom Barack, affirmed his country’s commitment to supporting ceasefire efforts in Aleppo and ensuring the peaceful withdrawal of the SDF.
The situation remains fluid, and DZWatch will continue to provide updates as they become available.
