ALEPPO – Over the past 24 hours, the residential neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, along with their surrounding areas in Aleppo, have been subjected to a violent and systematic military escalation. Indiscriminate shelling involving heavy artillery, Grad rockets, and suicide drones has left a trail of death, injury, and significant destruction of civilian infrastructure.
Heavy Casualties and Indiscriminate Shelling
The offensive, carried out by armed factions affiliated with the “Temporary Ministry of Defense” and Al-Julani groups, began with reconnaissance drone strikes and escalated into heavy bombardment. According to the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), the death toll has risen to three civilians, including two women. Furthermore, at least 17 others have been wounded, many of whom remain in critical condition.
A War on Children and Healthcare
The human cost of the escalation is most visible in the injuries sustained by the city’s youngest residents. Reports confirmed that two-year-old Ivan Abdo and three-year-old Sham Dalou were among those wounded during the indiscriminate shelling of residential blocks.
In a direct violation of international humanitarian law, the attacks systematically targeted vital medical facilities. Shells reportedly struck the entrance of the emergency department at Zahi Azraq Hospital in the Bustan al-Basha neighborhood. Additionally, Othman Hospital in Ashrafieh and the vicinity of Khalid Fajr Hospital were targeted, severely hampering the ability of medical teams to treat the influx of wounded civilians.
Infrastructure Damage and Mass Displacement
Beyond the human toll, the bombardment has caused catastrophic damage to the city’s infrastructure. The Hassan Mosque was struck, and shells hit the Directorate of Agriculture building. The attacks have also led to widespread power outages and disruptions to water networks, further deepening the humanitarian suffering.
Fearing for their lives, hundreds of families have begun a mass displacement from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh toward safer zones or underground shelters. Local hospitals, particularly Khalid Fajr Hospital, have issued urgent appeals to the public for blood donations of all types to save those injured in the ongoing strikes.
Security Response and Breached Truces
The Internal Security Forces (Asayish) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) characterized these attacks as a “planned escalation” and a blatant breach of existing truces. In official statements, they emphasized that these actions constitute war crimes against unarmed civilians.
In response to the targeting of residential areas, security forces reported that they exercised their right to legitimate defense by striking two military points belonging to the attacking factions. Clashes have continued on the outskirts of the neighborhoods, with reports of casualties among the attacking elements during the exchanges.
Conclusion
As the shelling continues and drone activity remains high, the situation in Aleppo remains volatile. Local authorities and human rights observers are calling on the international community to intervene and hold the perpetrators accountable for the deliberate targeting of civilian populations and essential healthcare services.