ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The main political party of the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) condemned the government for instigating Monday’s clashes in Aleppo, accusing Damascus-affiliated forces of trying to ignite a broader conflict after they closed roads and imposed a “suffocating siege” on two Kurdish-majority neighborhoods.

The Democratic Union Party (PYD) issued a statement following heavy armed confrontations Monday between government forces and the Kurdish-led internal security forces (Asayish) in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, marking the largest escalation between the sides since a de-escalation deal in March.

“We declare our deep concern over the continued attempts by the authorities in the transitional government to buy time and prolong the transitional period without genuine commitment to implementing official agreements, particularly the April 1st agreement between the Civil Council of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods and the government, which obstructs the national process and increases the suffering of citizens,” the PYD said.

The party accused the Damascus government of imposing a “suffocating siege” by closing all roads leading to the neighborhoods, and attacking civilians peacefully demanding its lifting, leaving “dozens” wounded. 

The party further stated that these actions, alongside other assaults, are “part of a plan aimed at provoking a broader conflict” that would “destroy what remains of life” and drive the country into “an abyss with dire consequences,” calling the campaign “sedition that threatens everyone’s security.”

Syrian government forces and Asayish forces engaged in heavy armed clashes late Monday in the northern Aleppo neighborhoods after residents protested the road closures, which followed an explosion in the area, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

Government forces reportedly used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, triggering the armed confrontations with the Asayish, which involved live ammunition, drones, machine guns, and mortar shells.

Syrian state media reported that the clashes began after government forces discovered and detonated a tunnel allegedly used by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to target security forces. The SDF, however, denied involvement, stating its forces had withdrawn from the area in April under an understanding with Damascus.

The neighborhoods are controlled by the local Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) forces, while government forces hold the entrances.

The PYD urged the international community to prevent a new civil war and called on the government to “de-escalate tensions, reopen crossings, and overcome obstacles through dialogue and negotiation, not through threats and weapons.”