What Aleppo’s fighting reveals about Syria’s fragile peace
The Take
Al Jazeera
4.7 • 747 Ratings
🗓️ 12 January 2026
⏱️ 21 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
A ceasefire in Aleppo has halted days of deadly fighting, after clashes between Syrian forces and Kurdish fighters. With civilians displaced and trust deeply shaken, questions are growing about whether Syria’s post-war transition can survive long term.
In this episode:
- Bernard Smith (@JazeeraBernard), Correspondent, Al Jazeera
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Noor Wazwaz and Melanie Marich, with Tamara Khandaker, David Enders and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Ney Alvarez.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Al Jazeera Podcasts. |
| 0:07.0 | Today, Kalm has returned to the streets of Aleppo as the Syrian military takes control. |
| 0:17.6 | Debris in charred weapons line the streets of Aleppo's Kurdish majority Sheikh-Maksud neighborhood. |
| 0:22.6 | It's the aftermath of days of intense clashes between Syrian government and Kurdish fighters. |
| 0:28.6 | Is it a sign that the post-war peace is holding, or that the deal holding Syria together is starting to unravel? |
| 0:36.6 | I'm Kevin Horton, and this is the take. holding Syria together is starting to unravel. |
| 0:38.3 | I'm Kevin Hurtin, and this is the take. |
| 0:41.3 | Hi, before we continue with today's show, remember to leave us a comment telling us what you think about this episode and what stories you want to see us do next. |
| 0:58.2 | And if you're on your favorite podcast app, please leave us a review, telling us where you're |
| 1:02.3 | listening from and maybe give us a five-star rating. |
| 1:05.4 | It really does help the show. |
| 1:06.8 | I'm Bernard Smith. I'm a senior correspondent with Al Jazeera English, and I'm currently in |
| 1:16.1 | Aleppo in northern Syria. Bernard, welcome to the take. So you've been covering the clashes in |
| 1:23.0 | Aleppo, where you're based right now, and we've been monitoring some of the most intense fighting there |
| 1:28.1 | since the end of the Civil War that toppled Bashar al-Assad in December of 2024. |
| 1:33.3 | So it's been over a year now. |
| 1:35.9 | So for five days, the Syrian military battled against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF, |
| 1:42.1 | and it's been deadly. |
| 1:46.2 | 24 civilians dead at least, more than 120 injured, but there is calm now. |
| 1:52.9 | So why don't we start there? |
| 1:54.1 | What led to both sides deciding to put down their arms? |
| 1:58.1 | We're not entirely sure. |
... |
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