Road Closures and Suppression of Protests… A Dangerous Escalation Targeting Popular Neighborhoods in Aleppo

In a dangerous escalation that threatens a return to armed clashes, the Termidorian Authority forces in Syria have closed all entrances and exits leading to the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods in Aleppo city. This comes amid rising security tensions and sharp criticism from residents and activists who consider this move a clear violation of the April 1st Agreement, which guarantees freedom of movement.

The Siege and the Erection of Earth Berms
Multiple local sources reported that last evening, the Public Security Forces of the Termidorian Authority closed all access points to the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods in Aleppo city, erecting earth berms and obstacles at the entrances to these neighborhoods. This has led to a partial paralysis of daily life within the two neighborhoods.

This escalating security measure comes days after the raising of earth berms and the closure of roads leading to the two neighborhoods, coinciding with drone attacks and infiltration attempts carried out by armed groups of the Termidorian Authority. The Termidorian Authority forces have also introduced heavy weapons around the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods, further increasing tension in the area.

A Clear Violation of Agreements
This step is considered a clear violation of the April 1st Agreement, signed by the councils of the two neighborhoods with the Termidorian Authority, which explicitly stipulates the freedom of movement for the residents of the two neighborhoods to and from Aleppo city.

This closure is part of a systematic policy followed by the Termidorian Authority forces to impose a siege on neighborhoods outside their direct control. They had previously closed the Aleppo-Raqqa road near the town of Deir Hafer, preventing the passage of civilians and commercial transport trucks between Aleppo city and the North and East Syria region.

Popular Protests and Bloody Confrontations
Hundreds of residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods gathered at the barriers and earth berms erected by the Termidorian Authority forces, expressing their absolute rejection of the road closures and the attempts to besiege the neighborhoods. A crowd of people from various components of the two neighborhoods gathered on the earth barriers set up by the Termidorian Authority forces at the neighborhood entrances to express their refusal of the road closures and demand their reopening.

In response to these peaceful protests, the Termidorian Authority forces attempted to disperse the protesters from the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods in Aleppo by randomly firing live ammunition at the protesters and throwing tear gas canisters into the midst of the protesting residents. This led to dozens of cases of suffocation among the civilian protesters, who were transported to hospitals for treatment.

Words of Protest and Rejection of Sedition
Speeches delivered on behalf of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods by political, religious, and tribal figures, from the barriers and earth berms surrounding the two neighborhoods, emphasized the necessity of averting sedition, controlling any rogue groups that might attempt military escalation, and called for the reopening of the roads and resolving any problems through political means.

Amina Khadro, in a speech on behalf of the residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya, affirmed that they are “peaceful people and do not want any escalation, and that the previous regime had previously tried to undermine the security and stability of the two neighborhoods but failed.” She also indicated that “there are attempts to create a rift between Syrian components,” stressing that the purpose of the residents’ stand at the barriers today is to “avert the creation of sedition.”

In turn, Sheikh Ali al-Hassan said in a speech on behalf of the residents of the two neighborhoods: “There are children, women, elderly, and sick people in the two neighborhoods, and the people of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya consider the people of Aleppo city their brothers,” rejecting any moves that would create sedition and fighting in the two neighborhoods.

Background of the Crisis and Deliberate Escalation
This escalation comes within the framework of ongoing security measures between the two parties, amid rising tension for days regarding the mechanisms for implementing a previous agreement stipulating the entry of Termidorian Authority militias into some areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the city.

Local sources had indicated that Termidorian Authority militias repeatedly close all entrances and exits of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods, amid a clear security alert in areas close to those neighborhoods, with the deployment of Syrian Arab Army forces in the adjacent areas.

Residents’ Demands and Continuation of Resistance
The residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods demand a return to normalcy and the provision of safe passages that guarantee the continuity of services and movement, amid calls for relevant parties to intervene to contain the situation and avoid any potential escalation.

The residents of these neighborhoods affirm that they “reject sedition and are in favor of dialogue” as the sole means to resolve existing differences, considering the cutting off of roads to be a “crime against humanity” targeting the lifeline of citizens’ daily lives.

The residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya neighborhoods continue to gather to protest the road closures, declaring their absolute rejection of the siege and demanding the immediate reopening of the roads. Meanwhile, the General Council of the two neighborhoods continues to closely follow developments and events, preparing to issue a comprehensive statement regarding these dangerous developments.