Russia voices concern over clashes between SDF, government forces
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Russia voices concern over Syria tensions after Aleppo clashes between US-backed SDF and Syrian Transitional Government forces.
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Syrian security forces stand guard as residents leave the Sheikh Maqsoud and Achrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 (AP)
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Wednesday that Moscow is concerned about the new round of tensions in Syria and expressed hope that conditions will be created to avoid bloodshed.
"We are concerned about the new round of tensions in Syria, and we welcome the political will demonstrated by both sides, which has allowed the violence to cease," Zakharova stated, adding, "We hope that the necessary conditions will be created to avoid further bloodshed and achieve sustainable de-escalation. Preventing civilian casualties is, of course, particularly urgent."
On October 7, intense clashes broke out in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and forces affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government's Defense Ministry, marking a new escalation in northern Syria.
According to the SDF-linked Hawar News Agency, a number of civilians suffered suffocation from tear gas during demonstrations that were protesting the closure of neighborhood entry points by the General Security forces. The agency further reported that the situation was aggravated by government forces shelling the area with mortars.
Meanwhile, Syria’s official news agency SANA reported that SDF fighters targeted internal security checkpoints near the two neighborhoods, an attack which killed one member of the Internal Security Forces and wounded three others. Several civilians were wounded at al-Ardir Bridge after heavy gunfire hit the area.
According to the same report, the SDF continued shelling residential neighborhoods with mortars and heavy weapons, which prompted the Internal Security Forces to evacuate several families to safety. The SDF described the situation as a continuation of "repeated attacks by Damascus-affiliated factions against civilians" in Aleppo and accused these groups of targeting residential areas with mortar shells and drones.
Later at night, a ceasefire was reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces and transitional authority forces.
