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CRISIS OVERVIEW
Between 6–11 January 2026, clashes between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish non-state armed group Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Ash Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighbourhoods of Aleppo killed 23 people and displaced 148,000 (OCHA 10/01/2026; SANA 09/01/2026). On 11 January, SDF fighters agreed to withdraw from both previously SDF-held neighbourhoods after a US-brokered ceasefire was reached amid threats of Turkish involvement (AJ 11/01/2026; Reuters 08/01/2026; France24 11/01/2026). The clashes represent one of the most severe episodes of violence between the Syrian government forces and the SDF since the fall of the Assad regime in terms of the geographic area affected, the intensity of hostilities, and the resulting displacement (SARD 08/01/2026; The National Context 07/01/2026). The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports that indiscriminate government shelling, coupled with strikes on health facilities, created serious protection risks for civilians in the area (SOHR 08/01/2026).
Civilian evacuations of the ethnically diverse Kurdishmajority neighbourhoods have been facilitated via government-designated evacuation corridors. By 12 January, around 29,000 IDPs had returned to Ashrafiyeh (mostly from Afrin) since the ceasefire came into effect. The Government of Syria (GoS) has also organised returns but these remain limited and gradual, likely reflecting persistent security concerns (The National 10/01/2026). Displacements are constantly evolving, and the exact location of all IDPs remains uncertain. Assessments indicate that the majority of the displaced population had fled to Afrin, where they had relatives and friends, reflecting both social and ethnic ties in the Kurdish-majority city around 40km away, while others sought shelter with host communities in Aleppo or in one of the 14 collective shelters across Afrin, Aleppo, and Sharan (OCHA 12/01/2026; IOM 12/01/2026). While humanitarian services in Aleppo city are generally accessible, shelters in Afrin face significant gaps in NFIs and winterisation support, reflecting the higher demand resulting from the district’s concentrated IDP population (OCHA 12/01/2026).
On 9 January, the Ministry of Defence announced a ceasefire offering safe passage for SDF fighters to northeast Syria, though no detail is available on provisions for family members, potentially creating a protection gap for households that remain without their primary earners or parents/carers (SANA 09/01/2026; AJ 09/01/2026). The ceasefire took effect on 10 January, with government police units deployed to Ashrafiyeh, Ash Sheikh Maqsoud, and Bani Zaid (Al Arabiya 10/01/2026; Asharq Al Awsat 10/01/2026). Transitioning to the GoS control of Ash Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh could heighten protection risks – particularly for Kurdish women who are perceived as more secular and socially active – including potential restrictions on mobility, public life participation, and service access (Govt. UK accessed 06/01/2026).
Shortly after the ceasefire, a drone strike hit the Aleppo governorate building, causing material damage but no injuries. The Government has accused the SDF, which has denied the Government’s unverified claims. The incident and government accusations highlight the fragility of the ceasefire. The authorities have subsequently affirmed that the curfew will remain in place until further notice as insecurities persist. Extended curfews are likely to disrupt daily life by restricting civilian movement, as well as access to markets, health facilities, and essential services. Families could face difficulties securing food and medicine, while daily wage workers will lose income, increasing household vulnerability (Asharq Al-Awsat 10/01/2026).
On 11 January, the Government declared the area under SDF control west of the Euphrates River as a ‘closed military zone’ amid reports of SDF mobilisation in Dayr Hafir (east of Aleppo), along the frontline dividing government and SDF-held territory (AA 11/01/2026; AJ 10/01/2026; Hürriyet Daily News 13/01/2026). This increases the risk of pre-emptive displacement as families flee to avoid being caught in fighting. Some reports indicate that civilians are already leaving the area, although the number of people fleeing and their destination remain unclear (Syria TV 13/01/2026). At the same time, the military-zone designation is expected to disrupt basic services, including health and WASH, limit freedom of movement, and constrain humanitarian access.