The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the axes of the Al-Ashrafieh neighborhood in Aleppo witnessed intense clashes after midnight, continuing into the early hours of the morning, between factions affiliated with the Ministry of Defense and the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), following a new breach by the factions - raising growing fears among civilians.

According to the Observatory, the clashes were marked by extreme violence, involving various types of weapons, before escalating into heavy shelling targeting the neighborhoods of Al-Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud, accompanied by loud explosions that shook the area.

Observatory sources said the shelling included rocket launchers, fueling panic among residents, especially as shells fell near densely populated residential areas, in the absence of any effective measures to protect civilians.

Residents carry their belongings as they flee the Kurdish district of Al-Ashrafieh in Aleppo on January 7, 2026. (AFP)

The Observatory added that two civilians were injured to varying degrees after factions targeted the Bani Zeid neighborhood with a drone. The factions also shelled the Shaqif neighborhood with five artillery rounds, causing significant material damage. Meanwhile, a state of tension and anticipation prevails, with public calls for an immediate ceasefire and for keeping civilians out of the cycle of violence.

Since the first day of escalation on January 6, the Observatory reported 15 people killed and around 60 civilians wounded, including women and children. Civilian victims numbered 10, including four women and two children. Seven civilians - three men, two women, and one child - were killed in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafieh neighborhoods, while three civilians - two women and one child - were killed in the Al-Midan neighborhood.

In addition, five military personnel from both sides were killed, including one member of the Internal Security Forces and four from the Ministry of Defense.

Syrian Civil Defense teams resumed evacuations of civilians from several neighborhoods in Aleppo on Thursday morning. According to its Telegram channel, some areas are witnessing ongoing shelling and escalation by the SDF organization, threatening the lives and safety of civilians.

The teams said they are transporting civilians from the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Al-Ashrafieh, and Bani Zeid through the Al-Aawarid and Al-Zuhur Street checkpoints, providing first aid to the elderly and the sick, and then transferring families to their chosen destinations or to temporary shelters.

Amid pleas from besieged families after the SDF organization prevented residents from leaving on Wednesday, Aleppo Governorate announced the reopening of the Al-Aawarid and Al-Zuhur humanitarian corridors until 1:00 p.m., in coordination with the Syrian Arab Army, to allow civilians to leave Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafieh.

The Operations Authority of the Syrian Arab Army warned the SDF organization against targeting residents seeking to exit through the designated corridors.

The Operations Unit also announced a curfew starting at 1:30 p.m. until further notice in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Al-Ashrafieh, and Bani Zeid, alongside the launch of targeted operations against QSD positions, urging civilians to stay away from the group’s sites.