The fragile peace that settled over Syria following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024 has shattered. Heavy fighting has erupted in Aleppo between the new Syrian army and Kurdish-led forces, triggering a massive humanitarian exodus.

The Syrian government has issued a chilling "evacuate or die" order to residents of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, which are controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The ultimatum expired on Thursday afternoon, followed immediately by a barrage of artillery shelling that has turned the historic city into a battlefield once more.

The Roots of Conflict

The violence stems from a breakdown in the integration deal signed in March 2025. The SDF, which controls nearly a third of Syria (and its oil), was meant to merge with the national army. However, deep mistrust and refusal to disarm have led to this violent divorce.

• Displacement Crisis: Local NGOs report that over 140,000 civilians are on the move, clogging roads out of the city. Most are heading to the countryside, where winter temperatures are freezing and shelter is scarce.
• Casualties: At least 15 people have been killed in the last 48 hours, including an 8-year-old girl struck by mortar fire. The SDF accuses the government of "ethnic cleansing" in Kurdish districts, while Damascus claims it is rooting out "separatist terrorists."
• US Role? The US, which backs the SDF in the fight against ISIS, finds itself in a diplomatic bind. It must choose between supporting its Kurdish allies or the new central government it helped install after Assad.

A Cycle of War

For the people of Aleppo, who endured years of siege during the civil war, this is a recurring nightmare. The names of the armies have changed, but the suffering remains the same. "We thought the war was over," said one fleeing resident. "We were wrong."