What’s happening in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh?

In recent hours, the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh witnessed an attack by elements of the Ministry of Defense of the Syrian Interim Government on a joint checkpoint located on the western edge of the two neighborhoods.

In response to these attacks, and within the framework of legitimate self-defense, the Internal Security Forces returned fire, leading to clashes on several fronts across Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh.

These events coincide with a visit by a delegation from the Turkish occupation state to the Syrian capital, Damascus, led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

However, this development did not come as a surprise. It was preceded by a continuous and suffocating siege that began on September 25, during which the Interim Government prevented the entry of fuel along with several essential supplies into the two neighborhoods, in a policy reminiscent of that pursued by the Fourth Division of the collapsed Ba’ath regime.

Additionally, the Interim Government carried out provocative actions, such as flying reconnaissance aircraft over the two neighborhoods, which constitutes a violation of the April 1 agreement signed between the General Council of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh and representatives of the Interim Government.

This is particularly relevant to Article 3, which states that: “The Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces, is responsible for protecting the residents of the two neighborhoods and preventing any attacks against them.”

The Interim Government’s attacks on all fronts in the two neighborhoods, using various weapons, continue as of the time of this report.

ANHA