The local governing council of the Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods issued a defiant proclamation on Friday, vowing to “stay and defend” the area and rejecting demands to surrender, as a military offensive by the Syrian Arab Army enters its fourth day.

The declaration comes as the districts’ only functioning medical facility, Khalid Fajr Hospital, has been forced completely out of service due to sustained bombardment, creating what the council describes as a catastrophic situation for the wounded.

The Council of the Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods stated that the decision to remain was made collectively by residents and defending forces, rebuffing calls from attacking forces for the evacuation of the population and the surrender of internal security units (Asayish). The council accused the Syrian government of pursuing a campaign of “forced displacement” by systematically destroying civilian infrastructure.

The offensive, which the council dates to January 6, 2026, has involved heavy weapons targeting “mosques, schools, citizens’ homes, and service centers.” The statement characterized the operation as an intentional effort to alter the demographics of the historically Kurdish neighborhoods.

The shutdown of Khalid Fajr Hospital, serving these densely populated districts, marks a severe escalation of the humanitarian crisis. The council reported dozens of civilian casualties, including women and children, with no remaining options for medical treatment. The situation is compounded by winter conditions and a severe shortage of basic supplies due to an ongoing siege.

Residents were urged to mobilize to aid the wounded and unite against attempts at “massacre and demographic change.”

The local administration criticized the silence of international actors it identified as guarantors of past ceasefire agreements, which now appear collapsed.

The violence has drawn condemnation from abroad and within Syria. The Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation (KDC) issued an urgent appeal on Thursday for United Nations and human rights organization intervention, condemning the military actions as “racist attacks” and warning of a rapidly deteriorating situation.

Domestically, the Supreme Islamic Alawite Council in Syria and the World demanded an immediate halt to the “massacre” in Aleppo. In a forceful statement, the religious body accused the current administration of mass arrests and killings that threaten the national fabric, warning that a continued “policy of cleansing” risks dismantling Syrian society.

Ground reports indicate a rising death toll, with 23 citizens reported killed and 64 injured since Tuesday. Many residents have been internally displaced as shelling targets residential areas.

Amid the fighting, high-level diplomatic contacts continued. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa held separate phone calls with French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday. According to the state news agency SANA, discussions covered bilateral cooperation and coordination on Aleppo’s developments. President al-Sharaa praised France’s role in supporting reconstruction, while President Erdogan expressed Ankara’s support for efforts to strengthen security.

Western diplomats have called for de-escalation. Canadian Ambassador to Syria and Lebanon, Gregory Galligan, stated Canada is “very concerned” and called for an immediate reduction in tensions and a resumption of dialogue between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).