This follows intense clashes between the two parties that lasted several hours. The confrontations occurred after government forces closed all roads leading to the two neighborhoods using earthen barriers, coinciding with the arrival of large military reinforcements to the area’s perimeter.
In a related context, the Syrian news agency “SANA” reported, quoting a security source in Aleppo, that a member of the internal security forces was martyred and three others were injured due to attacks on security checkpoints around the Sheikh Maqsood neighborhood by “QSD” forces.
For its part, the Ministry of Defense in the Syrian Transitional Government confirmed on Monday its commitment to the March 10th agreement, denying any intention for military operations. The Syrian Defense stated in a statement that “the army’s movements in Aleppo are part of its redeployment on some axes in northern and northeastern Syria,” pointing out that “the movements come after attacks by “QSD” forces targeting civilians and their attempts to control new villages.”
The statement added that “the step came after repeated attacks from “QSD” on civilians and the army,” continuing: “There are no intentions for military operations.” “QSD” had signed an agreement last March with Damascus to join Syrian state institutions, without specifying how “QSD” forces would be integrated with the Syrian army, as “QSD” wants to join as a single bloc, while Damascus wants the forces to join as individuals.
