In a significant development, the final Kurdish fighters have officially withdrawn from the Syrian city of Aleppo following the announcement of a ceasefire deal early Sunday morning. The announcement came from Mazloum Abdi, the leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who confirmed that an agreement had been reached through international mediation. This deal ensures the safe evacuation of martyrs, the wounded, trapped civilians, and fighters from the city.
Local media reports indicate that buses carrying the last members of the Kurdish-led SDF were seen departing from the Kurdish-majority neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud. This withdrawal follows a week of intense clashes that erupted in Aleppo after negotiations aimed at integrating the Kurds into Syria's new government stalled.
The recent violence in Aleppo has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 12 lives and has displaced tens of thousands of civilians. Many residents were forced to flee from the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh due to escalating tensions. The Syrian army launched artillery strikes on the area on Wednesday, designating these neighborhoods as closed military zones in response to alleged attacks by armed groups.
The Kurdish-led SDF, which maintains it has no military presence in Aleppo, has described these actions as a criminal attempt to forcibly displace local residents. Earlier in the week, a ceasefire was proposed, but Kurdish forces initially resisted leaving the last stronghold of Sheikh Maqsoud as part of the deal.
In March 2025, the Kurdish-led SDF, which controls significant portions of northeastern Syria and boasts tens of thousands of fighters, signed an agreement to integrate all military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state. However, accusations have flown from both sides, each blaming the other for stalling the negotiations, which remain unresolved nearly a year later.
The latest ceasefire agreement was mediated by the United States and other global powers, primarily due to concerns that the ongoing standoff in Aleppo could provoke Turkish intervention. Turkey supports the Syrian government and classifies the Kurdish militia dominating the SDF as a terrorist organization.
On Saturday, Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, announced via a post on X that he had met with the Syrian president. He urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint, cease hostilities immediately, and return to dialogue in accordance with the March agreement. Barrack emphasized that the United States welcomes Syria's historic transition and is prepared to extend support to President Ahmed al-Sharaa in his efforts to stabilize the country.
The situation in Aleppo remains precarious, with the withdrawal of Kurdish fighters marking a crucial turning point in the ongoing conflict. The international community continues to watch closely as the region navigates this complex landscape of political negotiations and humanitarian concerns.