ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Thursday urged all parties in the ongoing Aleppo clashes to exercise restraint and to "place the protection of civilian lives and property above all other considerations," expressing Washington's hopes for a Syria that "ensures full inclusion and equal rights for every citizen" regardless of ethnicity or religion.

Clashes between Damascus-affiliated and Kurdish-led security forces (Asayish) are ongoing in Aleppo’s Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods, with tens of people having been killed so far. 

"The United States is closely following developments in the Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods of Aleppo with grave concern," Barrack wrote on X. "We urge all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and to place the protection of civilian lives and property above all other considerations."

The envoy proceeded to highlight the strained reconciliation process Syria has faced since the toppling of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, asserting that "the deep scars of prolonged conflict require time to heal, and enduring progress demands patience, tolerance, and genuine mutual understanding across all segments of Syrian society."

"Nonetheless, we remain steadfast in the vision of a Syria that ensures full inclusion and equal rights for every citizen — Sunni, Kurd, Druze, Christian, Alawite, and all other communities — without exception."

Barrack also termed the implementation of the March 10 integration agreement, signed by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi, that would see the Kurdish-led adminsitration in northeast Syria (Rojava) brought under the auspices of Damascus as "eminently achievable."

Abdi on Thursday said that the SDF are working to end the hostilities, criticizing "the deployment of tanks and artillery in the neighborhoods of the city of Aleppo, the shelling of unarmed civilians and their displacement, and attempts to storm Kurdish neighborhoods during the negotiation process," by Syrian state forces.

Barrack, however, insisted that reconciliation remains possible.

"We therefore issue an urgent appeal to the leadership of the Syrian government, SDF, local authorities in Kurdish-administered areas, and all armed actors on the ground: pause hostilities, reduce tensions immediately, and commit to de-escalation," the US envoy continued.

"Let us prioritize the exchange of ideas and constructive proposals over the exchange of fire. The future of Aleppo, and of Syria as a whole, belongs to its people and must be shaped through peaceful means, not violence," he concluded.

The escalations follow a high-level meeting on Sunday between an SDF delegation headed by Abdi and officials in Damascus, discussing the implementation of the March 10 agreement. 

While the Kurdish side asserted that the meeting was held in a “professional and responsible” manner, ensuring “well-considered results,” Syrian sources told state media that it did not lead to any “tangible results.”

The implementation of the agreement has been stalled due to the Kurdish side demanding a democratic integration while Damascus maintains its centralized stance, with frequent clashes between the two sides further escalating tensions.