The Armenian Apostolic Church of Aleppo has canceled the All Souls’ Day (Merelots) memorial service “for safety reasons” as clashes erupted again in the city on January 6 between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), escalating into heavy gunfire and shelling near Armenian-populated neighborhoods. The Church urged faithful to pray for the departed at home, according to reports by Kantsasar. At least four deaths and multiple injuries, including children, have been reported by local correspondents, while Aleppo’s governor declared January 7 a non-working day, suspending classes and closing state institutions, banning public gatherings, and halting flights at Aleppo International Airport for 24 hours.
“For safety reasons, the Memorial Service has been canceled. We ask that you pray for the repose of the souls of the departed in your homes,” the Armenian Apostolic Church of Aleppo said in a public message, according to reports by Kantsasar.
On the afternoon of January 6, clashes broke out in Aleppo between the Syrian army and the Kurdish internal security units of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), News correspondent Zarmig Boghigian reported from Aleppo.
Armenian-populated neighborhoods are located in the areas adjacent to the clashes, which have also appeared in the danger zone. According to official sources, by the evening hours, at least four deaths and 15 injuries, including children, had been recorded, as the clashes intensified.
The fighting is taking place in the Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, and Syrian districts of Aleppo. Only material damage has been recorded in Armenian-populated neighborhoods near the clashes so far.
The National Prelacy canceled the All Souls’ Day Mass following Christmas on January 7 and urged residents to stay home and take shelter in the interior rooms of their apartments.
Aleppo Governor Azzam Gharib announced that due to the deteriorating security situation, January 7 has been declared a non-working day for all schools, universities, and government institutions, with the exception of hospitals and emergency services. A News correspondent also reported that Aleppo International Airport will suspend all flights for 24 hours on January 7.
Background and Additional Reports
Sputnik, citing the Armenian newspaper Kantsasar, reported that clashes resumed in Aleppo after a ceasefire lasting several hours, including in the Hayashat area. The outlet said the governor’s decision will cancel classes across the city on January 7, shut down state institutions, and prohibit public gatherings. It also recalled earlier reports that four people were killed and 26 civilians wounded during clashes between the SDF and forces controlled by Damascus.
Former Syrian parliament member Maria Kaprielian told Pastinfo that negotiations between Kurdish forces and the authorities failed, after which the Kurdish side turned to military action. She said heavy gunfire and artillery have been used, stressing that Kurdish areas lie immediately adjacent to Armenian-populated neighborhoods, putting the Armenian community directly in the danger zone and leaving much of the city deserted.
Separately, Turkey’s defense minister demanded Kurdish armed groups lay down their weapons, reflecting Ankara’s continued posture of hostility and pressure toward Kurdish forces in Syria and across the region. The Turkish government has repeatedly weaponized “terrorism” accusations as political cover to expand influence and escalate tensions in Syria, developments that often place vulnerable minority communities, including Armenians, at heightened risk. Syria’s state news agency Sana also reported that a Syrian soldier was killed and several others wounded in a drone strike it attributed to Kurdish forces in Aleppo.
