The military siege and attacks on the neighbourhoods of Şêxmeqsûd (Sheikh Maqsoud) and Eşrefiye (Ashrafieh) in Aleppo, which were attacked by Hayat Tahrir el-Sham (HTS) and paramilitary groups affiliated with Turkey on 6 January, continue. 

 

In the neighbourhood, which was attacked by 42 thousand armed elements, schools, hospitals and civilian settlements were targeted with tanks, artillery, rockets and drones. Dozens of people lost their lives in these attacks, while hundreds of citizens were injured. 

 

'THEY ARE TRYING TO HIDE IT' 

 

Commenting on the attacks in the region, Şêxo stated that there was great chaos in the region after the attacks on the neighbourhoods began. Şêxo said: “There was heavy bombardment of places where civilians live. We documented that 15 people were killed and 125 were injured in the neighbourhood before the armed groups entered. However, our communication was cut off after the attackers entered the neighbourhood. The internet in the neighbourhood was cut off. People began to be abducted. It was documented that nearly 300 people were abducted.”

 

'MILITARY ZONE'

 

Şêxo stated that with the entry of HTS groups into the neighbourhoods, they effectively declared the neighbourhoods a military zone, saying, "They are not allowing anyone to enter. They are trying to hide the extent of their atrocities." 

 

'THERE IS ANXIETY'

 

Şêxo stressed that nearly 200 thousand  people were forced to leave their homes during the attacks. He concluded: “There is great anxiety among the people who remain in the neighbourhood. We want those who have been abducted to be released immediately. People who have left the neighbourhoods must be allowed to return to their homes. We expect international forces to fulfil their responsibilities regarding the human rights violations occurring in both Kurdish neighbourhoods.”