Heavy clashes between the Qasd forces and "Golani gangs" are ongoing in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, with reports of tank and mortar shell bombardment on Ashrafieh minutes ago, according to NAYA and Syrian Observer. Developments escalated rapidly within the past 30 minutes, with "Syrian Observer" reporting that the Ministry of Defense forces bombed Ashrafieh. NAYA also stated that "heavy shooting is ongoing" in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh districts. NORTH PRESS AGENCY confirmed hearing bullets in both neighborhoods due to escalating security developments between protesters and government forces. These intense clashes and bombardment follow a period of high tension and road closures in the SDF-held Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh districts. Earlier on October 6th, 2025, between 5:38 PM and 7:37 PM UTC, at least 15 civilians were reportedly injured by live bullets and tear gas fired by government-affiliated groups and HTS terrorists during protests, as detailed in previous reports. Prior to the injuries, security forces had closed all roads leading to the SDF-held Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh districts between 5:07 PM and 5:38 PM UTC on October 6th, 2025. These closures prompted protests organized by SDF militia in the same neighborhoods between 4:38 PM and 5:06 PM UTC to object to the blockades, according to X reports and confirmed by Hevin Sulaiman, a senior official from the affected areas. Amidst these events, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander-in-Chief General Mazloum Abdi had previously commended U.S. President Trump for his role in resolving the Syrian crisis. This statement followed a meeting with a senior U.S. delegation, including U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye John Bass and CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, in Qamishli on October 6th, 2025, to discuss President Trump's "give Syria a chance" initiative and the March 10 Agreement.
