jordan pulse -

Syrian government faces no military difficulty dealing with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) present in Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods in Aleppo, but acts with extreme caution due to international scrutiny of minority issues, military expert Major General Fayez al-Duwairi says.
Clashes escalate between two sides, with Syrian army beginning to turn Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud into closed military zone.
Army Operations Authority tells Al Jazeera all SDF military positions in Aleppo neighbourhoods legitimate targets, following renewed shelling of residential areas and escalation of fighting.
Army does not launch traditional military offensive, but security operation to control armed groups government says carry out attacks on its forces and target civilians and infrastructure in Aleppo.
Time, international pressure
Armed groups expected to carry out so-called clearing operations to obstruct advance of government forces, which Duwairi says likely operate through isolation and encirclement in area considered small relative to Aleppo, distant from main roads and supply routes.
Problem, Duwairi says, not military capabilities of these armed groups, but global focus placing new Damascus government under microscope, closely monitoring its handling of minorities.
With presence of 3 sectarian groups — Druze, Alawites, Kurds — across 3 volatile areas — Suwayda, coast, north — government proceeds with extreme caution in such clashes, Duwairi adds.
Groups unlikely to withstand prolonged encirclement operation by government forces, with time factor working in government’s favour, but expert warns government faces serious challenge if civilian casualties occur.