Ceasefire in Aleppo: Kurdish Forces Complete Withdrawal

Mon Jan 12 2026 01:10:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Kurdish fighters have withdrawn from Aleppo after a ceasefire agreement was reached, amidst ongoing tumult in Syrian governance and control.

Kurdish forces from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have officially exited Aleppo following a newly brokered ceasefire agreement, which was mediated internationally. This ceasefire comes after significant violence in the area, prompting evacuations of civilians and fighters alike, as discussions for Kurdish integration into the Syrian government have stalled.

The final Kurdish fighters have withdrawn from the Syrian city of Aleppo, after the announcement of a ceasefire deal in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Mazloum Abdi, leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stated that an agreement was reached through international mediation, securing the safe evacuation of 'martyrs, the wounded, the trapped civilians and the fighters' from the city.

Buses transporting the last members of the SDF were seen leaving the Kurdish-majority neighbourhood of Sheikh Maqsoud, according to local media reports.

The latest clashes in Aleppo were triggered earlier this week when negotiations aimed at integrating the Kurdish perspective into Syria's new government reached an impasse.

At least 12 individuals lost their lives during this recent spate of violence, displacing tens of thousands of civilians who were forced to flee from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh.

The Syrian army initiated shelling in the region, deeming the areas as 'closed military zones' in response to alleged armed group attacks. The SDF, which asserts it has no military presence in Aleppo, condemned the actions as a 'criminal attempt' to forcibly displace residents.

Despite a ceasefire being proposed earlier in the week, Kurdish forces had initially refused to vacate their last stronghold in Sheikh Maksoud under the terms of the deal.

In March 2025, the SDF signed an agreement to incorporate all military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state; however, real progress has yet to be achieved nearly a year later. The most recent ceasefire agreement was mediated by the US and other global powers due to concerns that the escalating conflict might draw in Turkey, a supporter of the Syrian government that regards the Kurdish militia as a terrorist entity.

Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, called for all sides to exercise restraint and return to negotiations that align with the earlier March agreement.

On a diplomatic note, the US has expressed a commitment to assisting in Syria's 'historic transition' while supporting President Ahmed al-Sharaa in efforts to stabilize the country.