Pressure Points in Northern Syria: Qweires Airport and Aleppo Between Escalation and International Balances

Current Situation:

Northern Syria is witnessing escalating military movements, especially around Qweires Airport east of Aleppo, and in Aleppo’s Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods.

There are new military points and trenches raised by transitional government forces, alongside armed mobilizations in areas like Deir Hafer.

These developments reflect broader regional and international power plays, with the airport and these areas being used as leverage against local populations—particularly Kurds—and against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Autonomous Administration.

Qweires Airport:

Seen as a potential Turkish operational base targeting the SDF.

However, direct military confrontation with the SDF remains difficult due to the presence of US and international forces supporting them.

Turkish military actions remain limited and often subject to coordination with Washington and Moscow.

International backing of the SDF has prevented Turkish expansion west of the Euphrates, rendering Qweires more a pressure card than an active military hub.

Military Scene in Aleppo:

In northern neighborhoods like Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud, recent moves include:

Erection of new military points and trenches by transitional government forces.

Armed mobilization in nearby areas.

Direct pressure on Kurdish residents, undermining prior local agreements meant to protect these neighborhoods’ social and cultural distinctiveness and prevent armed presence.

These threaten local peace agreements that aimed to maintain civil stability.

Turkish and International Dimensions:

Turkey pursues control in northern Syria via limited military operations or political deals, as seen in Erdogan’s recent moves.

The US maintains its bases and support for the SDF, aligned with its and its regional allies’ (especially Israel’s) interests.

The international equation does not allow for a military end to the SDF’s role nor an independent Kurdish entity, but rather favors integrating them into a future decentralized political framework.

Reality vs. Expectations:

Online narratives about an independent Kurdish state or a military strike ending the SDF presence are far from reality.

The most likely scenario involves:

Integration of the Autonomous Administration and SDF into a decentralized political system.

Continued use of Qweires Airport and Aleppo neighborhoods as leverage points without full-scale conflict.

The future of northern Syria largely depends on regional and international agreements more than direct military confrontation.

Conclusion:

Qweires Airport and developments in Aleppo are part of a broader political and military pressure game in Syria. Regional and international balances will remain the decisive factor shaping the area’s future and safeguarding the rights of its diverse communities, avoiding open conflict or military resolution.