Turkey Offers Support To Syria As Army Shells Kurdish Areas In Aleppo

Last Updated:January 08, 2026, 16:09 IST

Turkey offers military support to Syria against Kurdish fighters in Aleppo as the Syrian Army shells the city, prompting thousands to flee amid escalating clashes with SDF.

Turkey offers military support to Syria against Kurdish fighters in Aleppo as the Syrian Army shells the city, prompting thousands to flee amid escalating clashes with SDF.

Turkey on Thursday said it was ready to provide military support to Syria in its fight against Kurdish fighters in Aleppo, as the Syrian Army intensified operations in the war-torn city following the expiry of an evacuation deadline.

The Syrian Army began shelling Kurdish-majority districts of Aleppo on Wednesday after ordering civilians to leave the areas. The military had declared the predominantly Kurdish neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh “closed military zones" from 3 pm local time, directing residents to evacuate through two designated “safe humanitarian crossings." AFP correspondents reported that thousands of civilians fled the neighbourhoods before the deadline passed.

The escalation comes amid renewed clashes between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have held sway in parts of the two districts. Fighting has intensified since late December after talks failed over a year-end deadline to integrate SDF fighters into the main Damascus-controlled military.

Amid the violence, a Turkish defence ministry official said Ankara was “closely monitoring" developments in northern Syria and was prepared to act if requested by Damascus. “Turkey supports Syria’s fight against terrorist organisations," the official told reporters, adding that the Turkish military was ready to provide support if Syria sought assistance.

Turkey considers key elements of the SDF to be linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and has long opposed Kurdish armed groups operating near its border. The latest shelling and regional rhetoric have raised fears of a broader offensive in Aleppo, with concerns mounting over civilian safety and further displacement.

News world Turkey Offers Support To Syria As Army Shells Kurdish Areas In Aleppo

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