Fighting intensified in Aleppo, Syria, as the Syrian army escalated its strikes against Kurdish fighters in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood, prompting a mass exodus of civilians. The escalation followed the collapse of ceasefire talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who refused to withdraw from the area, according to reports.

Mohammed al-Rajab, Aleppo's emergency chief, told Al Jazeera Arabic that an estimated 162,000 people have fled the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods due to the ongoing violence. The government subsequently declared Sheikh Maqsoud a closed military zone.

A Syrian military source, also speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic, claimed that the army was making progress in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. The clashes highlight the complex and fragile security situation in Syria, particularly the challenges of integrating the SDF into the country's future. The SDF, which played a key role in defeating ISIS in Syria, controls significant territory in the north and east of the country.

The current fighting underscores the deep-seated tensions between the Syrian government and Kurdish groups, who have historically sought greater autonomy. The situation is further complicated by the presence of various other armed groups and foreign powers operating in Syria.

The intensified strikes and displacement of civilians raise concerns about a potential humanitarian crisis in Aleppo. International organizations are monitoring the situation closely and calling for an immediate ceasefire to allow for the delivery of aid to those in need. The future of the SDF's role in Syria remains uncertain, and the ongoing clashes in Aleppo could have significant implications for the country's stability and the broader regional security landscape.