The X post from **@visegrad24** (posted on January 8, 2026) shares a video showing intense nighttime gunfire, tracer rounds, and explosions in Aleppo, Syria, with the caption: "BREAKING: This is Aleppo, Syria, right now."


### Context and Latest Developments

This footage captures ongoing heavy clashes between Syrian transitional government forces (the post-Assad administration, largely composed of former rebel groups including HTS elements) and the Kurdish-led **Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)** in northern Aleppo, primarily in the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of **Sheikh Maqsoud** and **Ashrafieh**.


The fighting escalated starting January 6-7, 2026, marking the third day of intense battles as of January 8. It stems from the collapse of negotiations to integrate the SDF into Syria's national army and institutions—a deal originally agreed in March 2025 but stalled amid mutual accusations of bad faith.


### Key Details

- **Casualties and Displacement** — Reports indicate dozens of civilians killed or wounded (estimates vary: at least 12-17 dead, including women and children), with tens of thousands displaced (up to 140,000+ in some accounts). The government opened humanitarian corridors for evacuations, but shelling has continued.

- **Military Actions** — Syrian forces declared the neighborhoods "closed military zones," conducted heavy artillery strikes, and advanced in parts of Ashrafieh. The SDF claims to have repelled attacks and inflicted losses, while denying military escalation.

- **International Reactions** — The US is mediating de-escalation efforts. Israel condemned attacks on Kurds as "dangerous," citing their role against ISIS. Turkey offered support to the Syrian government if requested. Concerns raised about risks of wider conflict or ethnic targeting.


The situation remains volatile, with reports of ongoing shelling, tank deployments, and ground fighting into the night of January 8. Both sides blame each other: the government accuses the SDF of initiating attacks on civilian areas, while the SDF calls it an aggressive assault threatening stability.


This highlights lingering fractures in post-Assad Syria, where integrating autonomous Kurdish forces remains a major challenge.