- Operations face difficulties due to 'use of civilians as human shields by the SDF,' says Syrian Arab News Agency
ISTANBUL
The Syrian Army “has completed combing more than 90% of Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood,” during operations against the YPG/SDF terror organization, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Saturday, citing military sources.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement that “the only option left for the armed elements in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood is to immediately surrender themselves and their weapons to the nearest military point, in exchange for guaranteeing their lives and personal safety.”
It added that the army “has begun its missions to extend national sovereignty, and it will deal firmly and destroy any source of fire in order to ensure the security and stability of the area and to protect civilians.”
An earlier SANA report said operations faced difficulties due to the “use of civilians as human shields by the SDF organization and their entrenchment in residents' homes,” adding that the army has also arrested several SDF members.
The Defense Ministry announced earlier that operations in the neighborhood were being carried out “slowly and with extreme caution” because the terror group is using civilians as “human shields,” according to SANA.
It added that during search operations, heavy weapons belonging to the terror group were seized.
The Syrian Army said late Friday it began an operation in the neighborhood against the YPG/SDF after all deadlines granted to the group to withdraw from the area expired.