Drone Strikes Aleppo Governorate Building Amid Army–SDF Clashes

Drone hits governorate office during press briefing

A drone believed to have been launched by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces struck Aleppo’s governorate building while Governor Azzam al-Gharib and two ministers were holding a news conference, blackening upper floors and causing a blast whose casualties remain unclear. It was the first reported use of long-range SDF-launched drones in other parts of the city and came soon after the Syrian army announced a suspension of operations in Sheikh Maqsoud under a proposed deal for SDF fighters to withdraw, disarm and be transferred to Tabqa. Syrian state media said government forces carried out sweeps and detained fighters, claims the SDF disputed, saying heavy fighting continued in parts of the district and that its forces were still repelling attacks.

Heavy civilian toll and international alarm

The renewed clashes around Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh have forced nearly 180,000 people to flee and health officials say at least 22 people have been killed with dozens more wounded; authorities warned residents not to return amid ongoing operations and unexploded ordnance. Both sides have traded accusations of attacks on civilians and misuse of civilian infrastructure. The escalation has renewed concerns over stalled efforts to fully integrate SDF-held areas into state control and drawn international responses: the US welcomed the reported ceasefire and urged restraint, the UN warned of humanitarian consequences, and US envoy Tom Barrack engaged regional actors to consolidate a withdrawal plan, while Turkey expressed readiness to support Damascus against the SDF, as reported by Al Jazeera