News Center – Yesterday, Monday, December 22, the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in the Syrian city of Aleppo were subjected to attacks using heavy weapons and machine guns. A joint checkpoint located on the western edge of the two neighborhoods, specifically at Shihan Roundabout, was attacked by militants from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. In response, and within the framework of legitimate self-defense, the Internal Security Forces in the neighborhoods returned fire at the sources of the attacks.

Clashes quickly erupted on all fronts of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. Militants then began shelling the two neighborhoods with heavy weapons and artillery, leading to intense fighting between the Internal Security Forces and the militants, causing material damage to homes and streets.

Nineteen civilians were injured to varying degrees, including four women and a child: (Aidel Ali, 8 years old; her mother Dijla Othman, 34; Royarin Habash, 13; and Zainab Hannan, 25). Fadwa Mohammad Al-Kurdi, 57 years old, from the Arab component, lost her life after a shell struck her home.

“We Will Not Leave Our Neighborhood”

Rania Ali, a resident of the neighborhood, stated that Sheikh Maqsoud has been subjected to numerous attacks since the era of the former regime, but the will of the Kurdish people cannot be broken by anyone. “Today the scene was repeated twice. On October 6, militants besieged the two neighborhoods and carried out systematic shelling, and yesterday they shelled them again with heavy and medium weapons.”

Despite the violations targeting civilians, Rania emphasized: “We will not leave our neighborhood where we resisted, struggled, and sacrificed our children and lives. We call on all components present in the neighborhood to defend their land, their homes, and their streets. We will resist and defend until our last breath.”

“They Do Not Want Peace to Prevail in Syria”

Marwa Khalil, also from Sheikh Maqsoud, recounted what happened last night: “We were at home waiting for our children to return when shells began raining down on us. But we were not afraid, because our resistance and struggle are stronger than all their attacks and violations.”

She pointed out that the violation of agreements always comes from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militants, saying: “They do not want peace and security to prevail for us or for Syria. We want nothing but peace and stability, and we hope it will spread everywhere.”

For her part, Amina Mohammad, another resident, said the attack occurred at a sensitive time. “As residents of this neighborhood, we will respond to anyone who attacks us without reason or justification.” She stressed that HTS militants “will not be able to enter our safe neighborhood,” affirming that the area “will remain resistant.”

She added that what happened on the coast or in Suwayda cannot be repeated against the Kurds: “They will not be able to commit massacres against us as Kurds as they did against other components such as Alawites and Druze. We will not allow them to enter our Kurdish neighborhoods.”

Imposing a Reality by Force

These attacks coincided with the arrival of a Turkish delegation in the Syrian capital Damascus, headed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Women from the city of Qamishlo in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria stated that what is happening cannot be separated from external interventions and escalation policies aimed at imposing realities by force.

A Systematic Policy Targeting Civilians

Sawsan Al-Khalil, displaced from the city of Afrin, affirmed that these escalation policies aim to destabilize society and impose a forced reality through power, in an attempt to subjugate residents and break their will. She considered the attacks a direct extension of a systematic policy targeting civilians, undermining social stability, and imposing new realities through military force—repeating the violations witnessed in Afrin and the Shahba regions in past years.

She explained that what the two neighborhoods endured cannot be considered isolated incidents, but rather part of an ongoing escalation targeting safe areas and their residents, undermining the foundations of coexistence and civil peace. “These attacks are closely linked to external interventions and coordination with local parties implementing agendas that do not reflect the will of Syrians, and which blatantly contradict principles of national sovereignty and peoples’ right to self-determination.”

Sawsan Al-Khalil noted that residents of the two neighborhoods demonstrated a high level of social awareness, self-organization, and remarkable resilience. “All segments of society—women, men, children, and the elderly—stand united to defend their areas and their legitimate right to live in safety and dignity, free from threat and intimidation.”

She added that the repetition of these violations at politically sensitive times raises serious questions about the actors behind them and their motives. “Every military escalation coinciding with Turkish diplomatic movements reflects a clear attempt to impose influence through violence and create instability that serves external interests at the expense of Syrians’ security and daily lives.”

A Strategic Choice

Sawsan Al-Khalil stressed that the Syrian people, particularly those who adopted community resistance and self-defense, will not submit to policies of domination or attempts to reproduce failed authoritarian models. She affirmed that adherence to existence, identity, and rights is a strategic choice rooted in firm popular will and cannot be reversed under any circumstances.

She also emphasized the pivotal role of women in protecting society and preserving civil peace. “Women’s presence in decision-making positions is a true cornerstone for building a democratic system based on justice, equality, and respect for diversity. Politically and socially empowering women is a guarantee for societal stability and its future.”

She concluded that the will to resist is stronger than all attempts at repression and intimidation, calling for an immediate halt to all violations, accountability for those responsible, and the protection of civilians in accordance with relevant international laws and norms.

Violation of Agreements

Nizam Nouri Khalil from Qamishlo confirmed that the systematic attacks on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh constitute a clear violation of international agreements and conventions, particularly the agreement signed on March 10.

She stated that residents of the two neighborhoods are subjected to continuous attacks that have resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians, including women and children, holding the Syrian Interim Government directly responsible for these violations. “We, the women of Qamishlo in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, strongly condemn and denounce these assaults against our people, which constitute a blatant violation of signed agreements and international humanitarian law.”

She believes that the breach of the March 10 agreement resulted from external interventions in Syrian affairs, asserting that the acts on the ground are carried out through direct incitement by the Turkish state, which seeks to break civilians’ will through policies of killing and systematic violence.

She added that these attacks aim to destabilize society and undermine the will of the people, but residents will remain vigilant against any policy that targets their dignity and existence. “The people of the region stand united, hand in hand and with one spirit, in the face of all forms of aggression, in solidarity with all components without exception.”

Popular Resistance Will Continue

Nizam Nouri Khalil firmly rejected any role for external forces in managing Syrian political affairs, stating that the pain of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh residents is the pain of all Syrians, and that silence in the face of these crimes is no longer an option. “Popular resistance will continue in defense of land and dignity until the power of all those who attempt to undermine the security of the regions or attack their people is broken.”

She called for building a democratic system that guarantees the rights of all components and protects pluralism, urging the international community to assume its responsibilities regarding what is happening.

She also warned of the dangers of escalating hate speech and incitement on social media during this sensitive phase, and addressed a message to the residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh:
“Stand united. We are with you, and we will not allow these attacks to break your will. Your resilience is our resilience, and your resistance is the resistance of all free Syrians.”