Attacks by Turkey-backed paramilitary groups affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government, including Emşat, Hemzat, Nureddin Zengi and Sultan Murad, against the Şêxmeqsûd (Sheikh Maqsoud), Eşrefiyê (Ashrafieh) and Benî Zêd (Beni Zaid) neighborhoods of Aleppo have continued for a fourth consecutive day. Due to the use of tanks and heavy artillery, the humanitarian situation in the area is deteriorating by the hour.

 

The Şêxmeqsûd and Eşrefiyê People’s Council previously announced that, in response to surrender calls by interim government–affiliated paramilitary groups, residents have decided to remain in their neighborhoods and continue their resistance.

 

In an urgent humanitarian appeal issued from its headquarters in the city of Hesekê, in the Cizirê Canton, Heyva Sor a Kurd warned that the humanitarian situation in these neighborhoods of Aleppo has reached a critical level. 

 

The organization stated that as a result of four days of uninterrupted bombardment, dozens of civilians—including women, elderly people and children—have been killed, while more than a hundred civilians have been injured.

 

Reading the statement in Arabic and Kurdish, Heyva Sor a Kurd Co-Chairs Hediye Ebdullah and Dilgeş İsa said the attacks are directly targeting civilian residential areas and essential service facilities, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe. They noted in particular that medicines, medical supplies and basic necessities are rapidly running out in health centers and hospitals.

 

Heyva Sor a Kurds emphasized that the forces carrying out the attacks have so far prevented any medical or humanitarian organizations from entering the area to evacuate wounded civilians, while the bombardment continues. The organization stressed that these actions constitute a clear violation of human rights conventions and international humanitarian law. In the statement, all relevant international and local actors were called upon to fulfill their moral and humanitarian responsibilities, immediately halt attacks on civilians, and open safe humanitarian corridors. 

 

Following the statement, a medical convoy made up of 15 vehicles set off toward Aleppo.