ALEPPO — In the early morning hours of January 8, mortar shells ex- ploded in the Armenian-populated neighborhoods of Sheikh Taha and Villages in Aleppo, causing material damage. According to the Gandzasar periodical, no injuries were reported. However, due to ongoing clashes in the city, residents of the Sheikh Mak- soud and Ashrafieh districts were giv- en a limited time to evacuate. For security reasons, Aleppo’s military operations office allowed resi- dents to leave the affected areas until 1:00 p.m. At present, the situation in the city is relatively calm, although sporadic gunfire can still be heard. Despite the tense situation, vital infrastructure in the city—including food stores, bakeries, hospitals, and pharmacies—continues to operate. Armenia’s Consulate General has announced that it remains operational. On January 6, clashes occurred be- tween the Syrian Democratic Forces and forces controlled by Damascus, resulting in four fatalities and 26 inju- ries in Aleppo.