Leader in Internal Security: Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh roads closed despite agreement, vehicle handover

Brigadier Alif Muhammad spoke to ANHA agency about the latest security developments around the neighborhoods and the status of the roads leading to them, revealing important details.

She pointed out that the transitional government forces had closed all roads leading to Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in Aleppo since October 6, completely besieging them.

She added that as a result, residents of the neighborhoods protested at the Al-Jazira checkpoint, but the transitional government forces attacked the protesting civilians.

“Seizure of an armored vehicle”

Alif Muhammad stated that the Internal Security Forces in the neighborhoods had to intervene, continuing: “During the popular protests and clashes, the residents seized an armored vehicle belonging to the Ministry of Defense of the transitional government and handed it over to us. With the siege continuing, several residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh who were stuck outside the neighborhoods faced harassment and were not allowed to enter.”

“The siege was supposed to end”

She explained that after the clashes ceased, the transitional government demanded the return of the armored vehicle, and an agreement was reached through mediation by the International Coalition. She said: “It is known that military equipment cannot normally be returned after being seized, but the transitional government turned this into an issue and tightened the siege. Eventually, through mediation by the International Coalition, it was agreed that the armored vehicle would be handed over to the Ministry of Defense. Since our duty is to facilitate the lives of residents and ensure their security, we accepted this, in exchange for opening the roads connecting the neighborhoods to the rest of Aleppo and lifting the siege.”

Alif Muhammad revealed that the armored vehicle was handed over on the night of October 8, and joint checkpoint personnel were deployed in the Syriacs, Ashrafieh, and Al-Awarid neighborhoods. However, the dirt barriers have not been removed yet, so cars cannot pass, and passage is limited to pedestrians only.

She added that according to the agreement, five roads were supposed to be fully opened, but so far only three joint checkpoints (Syriacs, Ashrafieh, and Al-Awarid) have been opened for pedestrians. Alif Muhammad also noted that the main roads in Ashrafieh and Al-Jazira remain closed.

A-H 

ANHA