Thousands flee clashes between Syrian government and Kurdish fighters in Aleppo

At least 12 people have reportedly been killed during two days of intense clashes between Syrian government and Kurdish fighters in the northern city of Aleppo.

Tens of thousands of civilians have also fled the Kurdish majority neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, which the Syrian army shelled on Wednesday afternoon after designating them as "closed military areas".

The government said the operation was a response to attacks by armed groups in the areas and was "solely aimed at preserving security".