Recently, tensions have risen again in northern Syria, with violent clashes erupting between Kurdish forces and the Aleppo government troops, drawing international attention.

On Monday evening, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and other Kurdish militias clashed violently with the Aleppo government army. According to the Northern News Agency, the fighting left at least seven people dead and dozens more injured. Anti-government protests also broke out in some Aleppo neighborhoods.

Syria’s Ministry of Defense stated that the government’s actions were part of a redeployment plan and emphasized their commitment to fulfilling agreements with the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), insisting there were no intentions to initiate military actions. However, the SDF accused the Syrian government of provoking the conflict by attempting to advance with tanks.

This wasn’t the first time such clashes occurred. On September 20, the SDF reported that a drone strike targeted the village of Umm Tina in Aleppo’s Deir Hafer region, killing seven civilians. The region also came under artillery fire, resulting in additional casualties. The SDF blamed the Syrian government-backed militia for the attack.

Earlier, on September 11, the SDF and government troops had already clashed fiercely in eastern Aleppo, with Kurdish forces shelling several villages. The assault left two civilians dead and three others wounded.

In a historic agreement on March 10, 2023, Syrian opposition leader Ahmed Sharif and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi agreed that Kurdish forces would integrate into a transitional government’s military structure. The deal also stipulated that all civilian and military facilities in northeastern Syria, including airports and oil fields, would eventually be handed over to the Damascus central government.

Later in April, a separate agreement was signed between the Syrian government and the Kurdish local council in Aleppo, placing the Kurdish region under Damascus's control while allowing a degree of autonomy for Kurdish institutions. Another provision in the agreement indicated that Kurdish military and civil bodies would merge with the central government by the end of 2025. However, the implementation of these agreements has faced significant challenges.

With President Bashar al-Assad still in power, the situation in Syria has become increasingly complicated. Islamic factions continue to target minority groups such as the Alawites, Christians, Kurds, and Druze. Despite Assad’s reassurances that all groups would be welcomed by the central government and that all weapons must be placed under state control, the ongoing conflicts between the government and minority groups have heightened fears of further escalation and division within the country.

The latest clash between Kurdish forces and the Aleppo government not only reflects the military confrontation between the two sides but also underscores deeper issues in Syria, such as power distribution and ethnic tensions. The involvement of external powers further complicates the situation, making the future of Syria increasingly uncertain.