Following intense combat that resulted in significant civilian casualties and mass displacement, Syrian Kurdish fighters have agreed to a ceasefire-mediated withdrawal from Aleppo. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced Sunday they would evacuate their positions in the city’s Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods after days of fierce fighting with government troops.
The conflict erupted after stalled negotiations regarding the integration of Kurdish forces into Syria’s post-Assad governmental structure. Syrian state television reported buses transporting surrendered Kurdish fighters to northeastern Syria, though the SDF initially characterized these transfers as forced civilian displacement rather than military withdrawal.
Civilian impact has been severe, with local officials confirming at least 21 fatalities and approximately 155,000 residents displaced from their homes—some of the heaviest fighting witnessed since President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December 2024. Families were seen fleeing conflict zones under security force supervision, while concerns emerged about separated individuals being transported to unknown detention facilities.
International mediators facilitated the ceasefire arrangement, with both the United States and European Union urging a return to political dialogue. U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, emphasizing the need to implement the March integration framework that previously foundered over Kurdish demands for decentralized governance.
The escalation raised regional security concerns, with Turkey—ally of Syria’s current government—indicating readiness to intervene, while Israel maintained support for Kurdish forces. Aleppo airport extended its flight suspension indefinitely as the situation stabilized following the evacuation agreement.