Parliamentary Briefing: The Latest Situation in Aleppo, Northern Syria

The recent escalation of attacks and violations against civilians in the Sheikh Maqsoud (Şêxmeqsûd) and Ashrafiye neighbourhoods of Aleppo was discussed at a meeting held in the UK Parliament, organised by the Centre for Kurdish Progress and the UK Representation of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC).

The meeting took place in the Parliamentary estate and was hosted by Labour MP Kate Osborne. Speakers included Labour MPs Feryal Clark and Bambos Charalambous, Simon Dubbins (International Director of the UNITE trade union), former British diplomat and author Carne Ross, and Dr Mohamed Moustafa, UK Representative of the Syrian Democratic Council.

Feryal Clark MP: “Unacceptable”

Labour MP Feryal Clark described the situation in Aleppo as having gone beyond a military confrontation and becoming a civilian catastrophe. She stressed that the targeting of densely populated neighbourhoods such as Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiye with heavy weaponry constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

Clark stated that she would raise the issue directly with Hamish Falconer, the UK Minister responsible for the Middle East, and emphasised that the British government must adopt a clearer and stronger stance on the protection of civilians.

Bambos Charalambous MP: A Political and Moral Responsibility

Labour MP Bambos Charalambous highlighted that the relationship built with the Kurdish people and forces during the fight against ISIS entails both political and moral responsibilities.
“The Kurdish community in Syria made sacrifices in the fight against ISIS that we ourselves could not,” he said. “The friendship forged during that period must be honoured and sustained today.”

Charalambous also noted that emerging interim governance structures in Syria, particularly if they seek international recognition and the lifting of sanctions, carry serious responsibilities. He stressed that these authorities must meet international expectations, first and foremost by ensuring the protection of all communities. Attacks against Druze, Alawite, Kurdish and other minority groups, he said, cannot be ignored.

Simon Dubbins: Turkey Is Deepening the Crisis

Simon Dubbins, International Director of the UNITE trade union, spoke about the future of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and broader regional developments. He emphasised that a significant proportion of the SDF is made up of women, warning that any attempt to forcibly dismantle or reshape this force would pose serious security and human rights risks.

Dubbins also referred to ongoing talks between the Turkish government and Abdullah Öcalan, arguing that Turkey’s military and political pressure on North and East Syria is directly linked to the attacks on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiye in Aleppo.
“Pressure on Rojava is part of a wider policy aimed at weakening the political will of Kurds and other peoples,” he said, adding that events in Aleppo are a clear reflection of this approach on the ground.

Dr Mohamed Moustafa: A Humanitarian, Not Military, Crisis

Dr Mohamed Moustafa, UK Representative of the Syrian Democratic Council, underlined that Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiye have been deliberately targeted with heavy weapons. He noted that these neighbourhoods are home to civilians who have already been displaced multiple times, making the attacks particularly devastating.

“People in these areas are working, children are going to school, and despite immense hardship they are trying to maintain everyday life,” Moustafa said. “But the latest attacks leave civilians with no safe spaces at all.” He warned that continued international silence risks paving the way for further humanitarian disasters.

Carne Ross: A Democratic Model Under Systematic Pressure

Former British diplomat and author Carne Ross, speaking from his experience with Independent Diplomat advising democratic political movements, argued that the pluralistic and democratic model being developed in North and East Syria is being deliberately targeted.

Ross said the Rojava experience offers an important alternative not only for Kurds but for the future of Syria as a whole, and that this is precisely why it has been subjected to sustained military and political pressure.

Call to the International Community

The meeting concluded with a unified call for the international community to take a more active role in protecting civilians in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiye neighbourhoods. Speakers urged urgent diplomatic action to halt the attacks, ensure humanitarian access, and prevent a new wave of forced displacement.