At least two people have been killed and more than 60 injured in attacks by Syrian government forces in the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah in Aleppo, announced the People's Council of the two self-governing neighborhoods on Tuesday after an initial assessment.

The attacks began in the late afternoon of October 6, after units of the Islamist government in Damascus had first blocked all access roads to the neighborhoods with earth barriers and implemented a complete lockdown. At around 5 p.m., all entrances and exits were closed. Shortly thereafter, drones flew over both neighborhoods and carried out several attacks.

The attacks were accompanied by attempts to advance into densely populated residential areas with tanks, armored vehicles, and heavy weapons. The General Council of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah then called on the residents of both neighborhoods to stage peaceful protests against the lockdown and military presence.

Hundreds of people responded to the call and gathered on the main streets to demand an end to the siege. The transitional government's troops used tear gas and live ammunition against the demonstrators. At least 25 people had to receive medical treatment for tear gas poisoning.

This was followed by a large-scale attack from four directions involving armored units. Local security forces of the self-administration (Asayish) put up resistance, which led to armed clashes. According to the People's Council, there were serious attacks during the attempt to enter the neighborhoods. Several people were hit by armored vehicles, two of them fatally.

Later that night, troops fired mortar shells at densely populated neighborhoods. It was not until late at night that government forces withdrew from the immediate outskirts of the neighborhoods. Since then, a tense calm has prevailed in the area.