The Internal Security Forces (Asayish) affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Monday, October 20, that one of its points on the outskirts of Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo city (northern Syria) was targeted.

Asayish accused what it described as the “transitional government’s forces and their gunmen” of targeting the point, a claim a military source told Enab Baladi was untrue.

“To create a state of tension”

In a statement carried by Hawar News Agency, which is close to the SDF, Asayish said one of its points around Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood came under sniper fire and direct shooting in recent hours.

It considered this a clear attempt to create a state of tension and push the area toward new armed confrontations.

The statement added that these attacks constitute an explicit violation of efforts to stabilize security and protect civilians.

It also noted that the recent provocations come despite ongoing attempts to ensure calm and a ceasefire.

Asayish said this proves the attacking parties are not committed to any understandings or de-escalation agreements.

This is the second such accusation in days. On October 16, Asayish issued a statement saying “forces affiliated with the Interim Government” carried out an armed attack on a joint checkpoint at the Shihan Roundabout on the outskirts of Ashrafiyeh neighborhood in Aleppo city (northern Syria).

According to that statement, two Asayish personnel were seriously wounded and transferred to the hospital for treatment.

At the time, Asayish said the “assault is part of a series of repeated violations carried out by armed groups affiliated with the Interim Government,” describing the incident as “an attempt to undermine security and stability in the area.”

“Media escalation”

A government source, who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media, denied the claims in the Asayish statement.

He told Enab Baladi there had been no targeting by government forces and no violations around Sheikh Maqsoud or Ashrafiyeh.

The source said the situation in Aleppo city was stable and reports of sniper fire or shooting were inaccurate.

He considered the coverage on SDF-affiliated media to be attempts to stir confusion and portray the scene as tense.

He added that these reports amount to a deliberate media escalation by the other side, at a time when talks and contacts are underway and there are no movements on the ground, according to the source.

Calm on the ground

A local source from Ashrafiyeh, who withheld his name for security reasons, told Enab Baladi the situation in the neighborhood was calm, with no violations recorded in recent days.

Daily life was proceeding normally in Ashrafiyeh and surrounding areas, including Sheikh Maqsoud, and shops were open, he said.

Gunfire was only heard intermittently and from unconfirmed sources.

He added that talk of security tension does not reflect the actual situation inside those neighborhoods.

Clashes Escalate Between Government Forces and SDF in Aleppo, Northern Syria

The outskirts of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud in Aleppo city witnessed clashes between government forces and the SDF, which controls both neighborhoods, on October 6.

The fighting included mutual sniper fire and shelling with artillery and mortars.

Shells fell in various residential areas, causing a state of security tension in the two neighborhoods and nearby districts.

This led the same day to the closure of a number of main roads in the city, including al-Suryan, Tishreen Bridge, Baghdad Station, and the al-Layramoun area.

Clashes in Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud ceased completely after a ceasefire agreement was reached on October 7, helping to restore calm in the two neighborhoods.