A cautious calm has settled over Aleppo, including the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, following intense clashes between Syrian Army forces and the SDF, with reports of ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire emerging within the past 29 minutes, from 10:05 PM to 10:35 PM UTC. The Syrian TV reported this cessation of hostilities and the commencement of talks, as ambulances were heard circulating to respond to emergencies. Earlier, skirmishes had persisted, though artillery shelling had ceased approximately 15 minutes prior to 10:35 PM UTC, according to the official Syria News Network. The Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that Al-Julani bears responsibility for any casualties in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, attributing the attacks to a desire to please Turkey and gain full control of the area, as well as to expel the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) stationed there. The Director clarified that the forces present are the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), not the SDF, and that the HTS regime utilized heavy weapons and drones. He expressed pessimism regarding a visit by Tom Barak, citing past massacres in Suweida and the coast, and asserted that the American focus is on Israel's security, not the Syrian people. The director urged Kurds and their allies to resist this aggression, stating it is Al-Julani's battle against the Kurds, not against the SDF. Videos circulating online documented STG troops engaging in gun battles with YPG/J forces in Aleppo earlier on October 6th. Another report claimed scenes documented the Qasd organization targeting Syrian security forces, immediately followed by an SDF denial of the presence of fighting forces. The previous report from 9:36 PM UTC detailed that heavy clashes between Syrian Arab Army forces and the SDF in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods had resulted in civilian casualties and widespread disruption, including the use of tear gas and live bullets against protesters. An SDF mortar shell reportedly landed in the Saif Al-Dawla neighborhood, causing one civilian death. During the earlier reporting window, the Syrian Army's Ministry of Defense confirmed deploying an anti-tank missile to neutralize an SDF heavy machine gun used in Sheikh Maqsoud district, while the Self-management criticized the reliance on weapons over dialogue. The situation was described as the largest military escalation between Damascus and SDF forces since the fall of the regime, involving the detonation of an SDF tunnel and the sealing of exits to Kurdish neighborhoods, which led to protests and the use of tear gas and live ammunition by government forces. In response, SDF forces reportedly shelled government-controlled areas, resulting in casualties among the internal security forces. Military reinforcements for the SDF were reportedly preparing to move towards Aleppo. Clashes had also been reported between 8:08 PM and 9:36 PM UTC, with the Syrian Army's Ministry of Defense citing a redeployment plan following SDF attacks and the SDF denying targeting security barriers while accusing government factions of imposing a siege. Syria TV reported mosque announcements urging civilians not to leave the neighborhoods. The Syrian Army announced the destruction of an SDF heavy machine gun in Sheikh Maqsoud, while SDF forces reportedly targeted residential neighborhoods with mortar shells. Multiple Kurdish media outlets and a war monitor reported over a dozen protesters injured following a crackdown by security forces aligned with the Syrian interim government. The Syrian Army had earlier discovered and detonated an SDF tunnel near a joint checkpoint in Sheikh Maqsoud, causing damage to nearby buildings. The Interior Ministry spokesman stated that the SDF had not adhered to the March 10th agreement. Road closures to Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh districts earlier in the day had led to protests, during which at least 15 civilians were reportedly injured by live bullets and tear gas.
