Syrian Arab Republic: Flash Update No. 1 - Escalation of violence in Aleppo (as of 07 January 2026)

HIGHLIGHTS

• At least five civilians were reportedly killed, including two women and one child, while the Ministry of Health recorded 27 injuries so far.
• Impacted areas included Ash-Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, Alleramoon, and several surrounding neighbourhoods.
• Approximately 30,000 people were reportedly displaced; over 2,000 people relocated to Afrin, and 1,100 individuals were sheltered across nine collective centres.
• Aleppo International Airport flights suspended since 6 January, with rerouting to Damascus.

SITUATION OVERVIEW AND HUMANITARIAN IMPACT

On 6 January, hostilities re-escalated in Aleppo between General Security forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), following a brief pause after the ceasefire announced in late December 2025. Initial exchanges were reported near the Alleramoon roundabout, before spreading to Ash-Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods.

The mutual shelling has killed 5 civilians and injured 27 others in Government-held areas, including women and children. Across the front lines, media reports referred to at least 7 civilian fatalities and 52 injuries, within Ash-Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods also including women and children.

Significant material damage has occurred to public and private properties in Ash-Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh and the adjacent areas. Shelling has impacted surrounding Government-controlled neighborhoods, including Midan, Syriac Quarter, Nile Street, Khaldiyeh, Zuhour, Tareq Ben Ziad, Bostan Bash, and Trab Al-Hellok.

Critical healthcare infrastructure has been hit: Zahi Azarak hospital (the main public hospital for internal cases), Ibn Rished hospital (the primary hemodialysis center), and Othman hospital have all reportedly ceased operations due to damage. Al Salam hospital has also been impacted.

Movement restrictions were reported on several key routes, including the road linking Alleramoon and Shihan, as well as access roads around Ash-Sheikh Maqsoud. Since the morning of Wednesday, 7 January, thousands of families have fled Ashrafiyeh and Ash-Sheikh Maqsoud and are primarily heading toward host communities within Aleppo city and the Afrin district. Approximately 30,000 people were reportedly displaced; over 2,000 families relocated to Afrin, and 1,100 individuals were sheltered across nine collective centres.

Local authorities have designated several worship facilities in Aleppo as initial temporary shelters for those displaced.

So far, an estimated 200 families have been accommodated in ten mosques, with numbers expected to rise sharply in the coming hours. Authorities are also assessing sites in western rural Aleppo and Afrin for use as collective shelters, though these locations will require basic rehabilitation support from partners.

In eastern rural Aleppo, limited hostilities and alleged military mobilizations by both sides have been reported. No displacement has been observed there so far.

The Aleppo Governorate has designated a hotline number for displaced individuals without shelter to request assistance and access available support services. In addition, government authorities announced the opening of two humanitarian corridors via Al Awared and Al Zuhour crossing points to enable civilians to evacuate until 15:00 today. A curfew was imposed after 15:00 today in the two neighborhoods.

In addition, the Public Transportation Department announced that all public buses have been mobilized to support displacement response efforts, facilitating the transport of internally displaced people to designated collective shelters.

The Syrian Civil Defence reported that at least 850 people were evacuated through the two designated humanitarian crossings.

In response to the security situation, local authorities announced the temporary suspension of activities in schools, universities, and government institutions, while the General Authority of Civil Aviation announced a 24-hour suspension of flights to and from Aleppo International Airport, with flights rerouted to Damascus pending security assessments. This was extended for another 24-hours on 7 January.

The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for civilian safety, humanitarian access, and the continuity of essential services. OCHA remains in direct contact with the Governor’s Office and all relevant partners to monitor developments and support response planning.