Kurdish Forces Complete Withdrawal from Aleppo Following Ceasefire

Sun Jan 11 2026 20:48:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The last of the Kurdish fighters have evacuated Aleppo under a newly brokered ceasefire agreement, following intense clashes earlier this week.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have officially left Aleppo after a ceasefire was negotiated early Sunday. The ceasefire, mediated through international channels, allowed for the safe exit of fighters and civilians from the embattled Kurdish neighborhoods, following violent clashes that resulted in numerous casualties and displacements earlier in the week. Ongoing tensions and failed political negotiations had escalated the situation, raising fears of further conflicts.

The final Kurdish fighters have withdrawn from the Syrian city of Aleppo, following the announcement of a ceasefire deal in the early hours of Sunday morning.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 the agreement was achieved through international mediation, securing the safe evacuation of martyrs, the wounded, the trapped civilians, and the fighters from the city. Buses carrying the last members of the SDF were observed leaving the Kurdish majority neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud, according to local media.

The latest clashes erupted earlier this week after negotiations to integrate the Kurds into Syria's new government hit a stalemate.

At least 12 people were reported killed in this outbreak of violence, which also caused tens of thousands of civilians to flee from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. The Syrian army initiated artillery fire in the area while labeling the neighborhoods as closed military areas, responding to alleged attacks by armed groups.

The Kurdish-led SDF, which claims no military presence in Aleppo, condemned the assault as a criminal attempt to forcibly displace residents.

A ceasefire was proposed earlier in the week, yet Kurdish forces had initially refused to vacate their last stronghold in Sheikh Maqsoud.

The Kurdish-led SDF, which controls a significant portion of Syria's northeast, signed a deal in March 2025 to integrate with the Syrian state. However, tensions between the two factions continue, each accusing the other of sabotaging negotiations. The recent ceasefire agreement, mediated by the U.S. and other global powers, emerged amidst concerns that the escalating conflict could provoke Turkey's involvement, given its support for the Syrian government and opposition to Kurdish militias.

In a recent statement, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack called for all parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately cease hostilities, and return to dialogue in line with the March agreement. He affirmed U.S. support for Syria's historic transition as it seeks stabilization under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.