Residents of Aleppo’s Kurdish Neighborhood Return After Clashes

A month after violence erupted in Aleppo, Syria, residents of the Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood are returning home. Following clashes between government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), approximately 90 percent of the displaced population has come back to their homes, marking a swift recovery in a region long affected by conflict.

Aaliya Jaafar, a resident and hair salon owner, noted the rapid return, stating, “This was maybe the shortest displacement in Syria.” Her family briefly left their home due to a drone strike nearby but returned shortly after the fighting ceased on January 6. The conflict resulted in the death of at least 23 individuals and displaced more than 140,000 people in the affected neighborhoods.

Clashes and a Fragile Ceasefire

The clashes in Aleppo stemmed from stalled negotiations to integrate the SDF, the largest remaining armed group in Syria, into the national army. Over several days of intense fighting, government forces gained control of Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh, and Bani Zaid, but precautions taken by the government helped mitigate civilian harm. Unlike previous violence in other regions, where many civilians were killed, this time, the government opened corridors for civilians to escape the fighting.

Ali Sheikh Ahmad, a former member of the SDF-affiliated local police, explained that he and his family returned hours after the clashes ended. Initially fearful of possible retaliatory attacks, residents found that the anticipated violence did not materialize. “We didn’t have any serious problems… The new security forces treated us well,” he remarked, noting a sense of reassurance among the residents.

Jaafar echoed this sentiment, stating that government forces “didn’t harm anyone, to be honest,” which contributed to the return of normalcy. Shops have reopened, and daily life is resuming, albeit with a noticeable shift in control at the neighborhood’s entrance, now manned by government forces rather than Kurdish fighters.

Economic Challenges and Hopes for the Future

Despite the improved security situation, the economic climate remains dire. Many residents had previously depended on jobs associated with the SDF and are now struggling due to the loss of those positions and a decline in local business. Jaafar expressed concern, stating, “The economic situation has really deteriorated. For more than a month, we’ve barely worked at all.”

On a broader scale, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi recently reported progress in discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani regarding the integration agreement, indicating a potential path forward for the region.

In light of recent events, interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued a decree aimed at strengthening the rights of Syria’s Kurdish minority. The decree recognizes Kurdish as a national language alongside Arabic and establishes Nowruz, a spring celebration, as an official holiday. This measure also restores citizenship to tens of thousands of Kurds who were stripped of it during the 1962 census.

Sheikh Ahmad expressed optimism about these developments, hoping they signal a move toward genuine reconciliation among Syria’s diverse communities. “We want something better than that,” he said, emphasizing the need for unity and an end to the cycle of violence that has plagued the region for over 15 years.

As the situation in Aleppo stabilizes, residents like Jaafar and Sheikh Ahmad remain cautiously hopeful. They aspire to rebuild not just their homes but also their communities, emphasizing a future of peace and mutual respect among all Syrians.