Statement from the Kurdish National Council regarding developments in the city of Aleppo

ARK News.. The Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNC) expressed deep concern over the ongoing clashes in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods of Aleppo, warning that the Syrian army’s designation of the two areas as military zones and calls for the evacuation of civilians constitute a dangerous indicator that could lead to further civilian casualties and repercussions extending to other parts of Syria.

In a statement issued by the General Secretariat of the Council on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the KNC called on all parties to immediately halt military operations, resort to dialogue, lift the siege on the two neighborhoods, and allow the entry of humanitarian and medical aid to treat the wounded.

Full Statement Press Statement on the Developments in the City of Aleppo

The General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council in Syria expresses its grave concern over the ongoing clashes in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods, which are predominantly Kurdish areas in the city of Aleppo and home to tens of thousands of civilians.

The artillery and rocket shelling of the two neighborhoods, along with continued fighting in civilian areas since yesterday, has resulted in civilian casualties, dozens of injuries, and the displacement of thousands of families from the two neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

This development threatens to further aggravate the humanitarian and security situation in the city. Furthermore, the classification of the two neighborhoods as military zones by the Syrian army, and calls for their evacuation of civilians, represent a serious and dangerous development that could lead to additional civilian deaths and wider repercussions across different regions of Syria.

In this context, we extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. We call on all parties to immediately cease military operations, lift the siege on the two neighborhoods, and allow humanitarian and medical assistance to enter in order to treat the injured. We also urge all sides to resort to dialogue, halt media escalation, ensure the protection of civilians, and avoid dragging residential neighborhoods into military confrontations.

Moreover, we stress the necessity for the Syrian administration to initiate a comprehensive political process that addresses outstanding issues and constitutionally safeguards the rights of Syria’s components, foremost among them the rights of the Kurdish people, in a manner that contributes to stability and the building of sustainable peace in Syria.

General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council in Syria
January 7, 2026 Qamishlo

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