Name: A look inside the vast tunnel network built by the SDF beneath Aleppo
Uploaded: 2026-01-13T15:52:10.199Z
Duration: 1 min 32 s
Description: Al Jazeera has been taken inside an extensive network of tunnels under the Syrian city of Aleppo, built by the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Al Jazeera has been taken inside an extensive network of tunnels under the Syrian city of Aleppo, built by the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Aleppo

A recent report provides a rare look inside the vast tunnel network built by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) beneath Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsood neighbourhood. The tunnels, which span approximately six kilometres, connect several districts including Shkaif, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid.

The underground passages are described as extensive and well-equipped, resembling an entire city beneath the district. Syrian security forces are actively combing the tunnels, and access is closely monitored for safety and security reasons.

A look inside the vast tunnel network built by the SDF beneath Aleppo

I am standing in the municipal area, inside one of the shops here, where the Syrian Democratic Forces have dug a tunnel. I will take you inside the tunnel, on a tour inside the network of tunnels the SDF dug under the Sheikh Maqsood neighbourhood. This network spans long distances and links many areas, starting from Shkaif to Sheikh Maqsood, then to Ashrafieh and even further to Bani Zaid. I am now inside the tunnel. This is one of the large openings, part of the huge tunnel. We will explore the length and depth of this underground network. It reveals SDF's strategy. As you can see, the tunnel goes deep underground. There are steps down here. It's also fully equipped. You can say there is an entire city under the Sheikh Maqsood district. We have now reached a point where the tunnels intersect with networks on both the right and the left. Syrian security forces have been combing these tunnels. One of the internal security officers will accompany us for protection as we move through this extensive network. Here we can see passages branching off to the left and right, and the far end is another passage, but we were told to stop here and not go any further. These tunnels extend for approximately six kilometres, and we will continue to explore the entire network lying beneath the Sheikh Maqsood neighbourhood.

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