World
Aftermath of clashes between Kurdish and Syrian forces in Aleppo on January 7, 2026. Photo: SANA
WASHINGTON DC - US policymakers on Wednesday reacted to the latest attacks by Syrian forces on Kurdish-majority neighborhoods in Aleppo city, calling for stability.
"I'm concerned about the level of violence that we're seeing throughout that area. And I say that as someone who's worked in the Middle East region, I've spent a lot of time working with Kurdish communities throughout the Middle East as well as other minority communities," Senator Andy Kim told Rudaw when asked about the latest attacks by the Syrian forces on Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh quarters in Aleppo.
"I will continue to try to make sure that there is the oversight that we see the transparency of what is actually happening and to be able to do everything we can to make sure that we can minimize this violence and ensure safety as much as possible but it is a very difficult situation.
Syrian state forces and Kurdish internal security forces (Asayish), which control the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh in northern Aleppo, have been engaged in intense fighting since Tuesday. Both sides have traded blame and reported casualties, most of whom are civilians.
The clashes have taken place despite a landmark agreement between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the interim government in Damascus, which includes a nationwide ceasefire. Another agreement, which was signed a month later, focuses on the two neighborhoods.
Congressman Joe Wilson believes that Iran is behind unrest in Syria when Rudaw asked about the clashes.
"I have concerns because we know that we have duplicitous influence from Iran, and they want to create division," he said, expressing his optimism about the future of Syria despite instability.
“There should be no conflict and all of us want a stable Syria which is beneficial to the Kurdish population and to me it's so important. And over and over again, America has indicated that we want a stable Syria, which is beneficial for the subgroups, whether it be the Kurds or the Alawites or the Bedouins or the Druze. And so it's really important, and we'll be working to protect the Kurdish population, but protect all populations," he said.
Gregory Meeks hopes that the new authorities in Damascus will "turn a new leaf."
"We'll get some peace and freedom from all Syrians and try to help collectively working with others in the region to make it safer and more cohesive Middle East," he said, when asked about Aleppo tensions.
He expects an inclusive government in Syria.
A US State Department spokesperson told Rudaw on Wednesday that Washington is "closely monitoring" the tensions in Aleppo, urging restraint.
"All parties should focus on how to build a peaceful, stable Syria that protects and serves the interests of all Syrians, rather than pushing the country back into a cycle of violence," they added.
The spokesperson also noted that the US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack continues to "support and facilitate dialogue" between Kurdish authorities and Damascus.
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