Raqqa residents stand with Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh people

On Monday, October 6, forces of the Syrian Interim Government launched an armored attack attempting to storm the two neighborhoods. The assault left two civilians dead and 60 others injured. The Internal Security Forces and local residents repelled the attack, forcing government forces to withdraw.

Despite the ceasefire agreement and the reopening of access roads to the neighborhoods, the Interim Government forces have established three new checkpoints at the entrances to Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh.

Personnel stationed there reportedly stop residents and obstruct civilian movement.

Citizens of Raqqa strongly condemned these attacks and military movements. Farida Abdulrahman, a local resident, stressed the need for peace and dialogue among Syrians, saying: “Dialogue is the best path toward a united Syria. We reject fighting and demand that the Interim Government uphold its commitments under the ceasefire agreement.”

Another resident, Mohammad al-Dekkal, said: “We, the people of North and East Syria, reject these assaults that target our Kurdish and Christian brothers. We live on a united Syrian land and seek lasting, inclusive peace—not sectarian peace.”

He also refuted the Interim Government’s claims that the Syrian Democratic Forces initiated the clashes, asserting: “This claim is baseless. Both sides must adhere to the agreement signed between President Ahmad al-Shar’a and General Mazloum Abdi.”

Al-Dekkal emphasized that violence and armed conflict cannot bring solutions, adding: “We want to live freely and safely in a Syria that embraces a beautiful mosaic of all its communities.”

Meanwhile, Mohammad Haidar, a displaced person from Afrin and Shahba now residing in Raqqa, condemned the attacks by the Interim Government, saying: “These violations deprive civilians of fuel, milk, and the most basic necessities of life. Their goal is to break our will and force surrender of our areas — but we will not yield.”

a.k

ANHA