In a direct confrontation that may be the most violent in years to reshape the new Syria, eyes are turning toward the northern neighborhoods of Aleppo. It appears that a "Grand Deal," hatched behind closed doors in Paris, has begun its field implementation with fire and iron against the Kurds, sparking a storm of reactions.
With the expiration of the deadlines set by Damascus, Kurds in the "Sheikh Maqsood" and "Ashrafieh" neighborhoods find themselves facing two bitter choices: either surrender and forced displacement towards the east, or fight an unequal existential battle against an undeclared alliance combining Damascus and Ankara, with a silent American-Israeli blessing.
"Surrender, Not Peace"
On the ground, a state of anticipation mixed with terror prevails. The Syrian Ministry of Defense, via a statement cited by "SANA," announced a temporary ceasefire that ended this morning, demanding "SDF" fighters leave with only individual light weapons towards the northeast, a move Damascus described as "paving the way for the return of the rule of law."
However, the Kurdish response was decisive and rejected the logic of "dictates." The Kurdish civil councils in Aleppo announced on Friday their categorical rejection of the evacuation calls, describing Damascus's appeals as a "call to surrender."
The General Council of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh stated in a press release: "Our people are determined to remain in their neighborhoods and defend them," a clear indication that Kurds view this operation as an attempt to uproot their historical presence in the city.
Paris Deal: The Price is "SDF's Head"
Observers believe President Ahmed Al-Sharaa's sudden military escalation is not merely a routine security move, but the first fruit of the secret "Paris Meeting" held days ago.
Informed sources revealed to Reuters that the meeting included the Syrian Foreign Minister and his Israeli counterpart, with a heavy presence of the godfathers of the "Trump Vision" for the Middle East: Steve Witkoff, Tom Barrack, and Jared Kushner.
Information indicates that Al-Sharaa extracted "direct approval" from the Americans and Israelis to unleash his military against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The declared goal for Al-Sharaa is to end the "duality" of power, but the political price is Damascus's engagement in the official normalization path within the "Abraham Accords" and accepting a demilitarized economic zone in the occupied Golan.
According to analysts, Al-Sharaa realizes that "Aleppo" is the "Grand Prize." Seizing the city's north from the Kurds means controlling trade, industry, and international highways to Turkey and Iraq. Al-Sharaa considers this a fundamental pillar for any sustainable governance project, cutting off the path for any Kurdish ambition in western Syria.
Barzani Warns of "Demographic Change"
In Erbil, the tone of condemnation has escalated. The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Masrour Barzani, issued a strongly worded statement on Thursday, warning that what is happening in Aleppo aims to "change the demographic composition of the region."
Barzani, one of the most powerful figures in Iraqi Kurdistan, placed the authority in Damascus and the international community before their moral responsibilities, asserting that "attacks on Kurdish neighborhoods raise grave concern" and that "wars do not solve problems at their roots."
Barzani's remarks reflect deep fears that this operation is a prelude to a systematic "ethnic cleansing" campaign ending Kurdish presence in Syria's second-largest city, striking at the concept of "equal citizenship" supposedly adopted by the "inclusive democratic government" Barzani alluded to.
Turkey and Israel: Intersection of Interests on the "Body" of Syrian Geography
Ankara did not miss the opportunity; the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday its readiness to provide "necessary support" to Damascus if requested. Although the operation is Syrian-executed so far, the Turkish offer reflects Ankara's overwhelming desire to liquidate the armed Kurdish presence on its borders, even if through the gateway of its former adversary in Damascus.
On the other hand, strategic experts see a complex Israeli interest in this conflict. While Israel supports "Al-Sharaa" remaining a strong leader capable of controlling borders, its traditional security theory prefers a "fragmented geographical periphery."
Allowing Al-Sharaa to strike the Kurds achieves two goals for Israel: plunging Syrian components into a bloody conflict that deepens social and sectarian rifts, preventing the rise of a cohesive and strong Syrian state, and simultaneously providing a "service" to Al-Sharaa in exchange for joining the normalization train.
Analysts also note that Israel still believes the SDF is "Iranian-penetrated." Many believe that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the main backer of the SDF, still maintains good relations with Tehran.
Ambiguous Future
With the Kurds refusing to leave and the Syrian army mobilizing to storm the densely populated residential neighborhoods, the coming hours appear decisive and tragic. The US mediation to de-escalate, mentioned in previous reports, now seems to have been merely "political anesthesia." Meanwhile, Kurdish civilians are left alone to face a military machine that has secured international and regional cover to redraw the map, even if the price is the blood of the residents of Sheikh Maqsood.