Aleppo clashes: Syrian government takes control of Sheikh Maqsoud; detains 300 Kurds

Syrian government forces evacuated took control of Sheikh Maqsoud, the last district in Aleppo outside state control, on Sunday. It came as US and allied forces carried out large-scale strikes against Islamic State targets across Syria on Saturday,Government forces evacuated more than 400 Kurdish fighters from Sheikh Maqsoud, and detained around 300 Kurds, AFP reported citing an interior ministry official, marking the end of days of intense fighting in the northern city.The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “360 fighters and more than 59 wounded” were transferred overnight from the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood to Kurdish-run areas in northeastern Syria. Another 300 Kurds, including members of Kurdish security forces, were detained.According to the agency, there were buses filled with men leaving Sheikh Maqsoud under government security escort during the night. State television later said military operations in the area had been halted, while hundreds of residents displaced by the fighting were seen waiting at the neighbourhood’s entrances to return once operations formally ended.Syrian security forces began deploying in Sheikh Maqsoud on Saturday after several days of clashes with Kurdish fighters that left dozens dead and wounded. From early Saturday, forces launched sweeping operations in the area and urged residents to remain indoors, Syria’s state news agency SANA reported.Two Kurdish fighters blew themselves up while surrounded by security forces, without causing casualties. Gunfire was still heard around midday on Saturday.Later, an explosive-laden drone struck the Aleppo governorate building shortly after two cabinet ministers and a local official held a press conference, state TV said. State television blamed Kurdish fighters for the attack, a claim denied by the main Kurdish-led force, which said it does not target civilian sites, according to AP.The fighting erupted earlier this week in Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid after talks between Damascus and the Syrian democratic forces (SDF) stalled over integrating Kurdish forces into the national army. Government forces have since taken control of Achrafieh and Bani Zaid.At least 22 people were killed over five days of clashes, with both sides reporting civilian deaths in areas under their control. More than 140,000 people were displaced.AFP reported that Syrian authorities later began transferring Kurdish fighters out of Aleppo after some announced their surrender. Separately, Jordan’s foreign minister discussed the situation with the US special envoy to Syria, offering support for efforts to consolidate a ceasefire and ensure a peaceful withdrawal of Kurdish fighters.