Tuesday, January 13, 2026- The final Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters have withdrawn from the northern Syrian city of Aleppo following a newly negotiated ceasefire agreement that ended several days of intense clashes with Syrian government forces.
Under the deal, SDF fighters, wounded individuals, and civilians were evacuated from the predominantly Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah, boarding buses that took them to northern and eastern regions still controlled by the Kurdish-led administration. The agreement was reached through international mediation aimed at halting the violence and ensuring safe passage for those leaving the city.
The departure of these forces marks the end of Kurdish military presence in pockets of Aleppo that they had held since early in Syria’s long civil war. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said the ceasefire would allow the safe evacuation of fighters and civilians and help stop further attacks. Syrian government forces subsequently moved into the vacated districts as part of efforts to restore state control over areas long contested in the ongoing conflict.
The clashes began after negotiations over integrating Kurdish forces into Syria’s new political and military structure stalled, sparking fierce battles that displaced tens of thousands of residents.
With the ceasefire now in effect and the Kurdish fighters gone, displaced families have begun returning to their neighbourhoods amid efforts to clear rubble and restore basic services. While this development reduces immediate hostilities in Aleppo, broader tensions in Syria’s complex multi-faction conflict remain, and the situation continues to draw international attention.
0 Comments