Kurdish Forces Withdraw from Aleppo Following Ceasefire Agreement

Sun Jan 11 2026 21:29:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The last Kurdish fighters have exited Aleppo under a ceasefire deal, ending violent clashes as safe evacuations for civilians and fighters took place.

In a significant development, Kurdish forces have completed their withdrawal from Aleppo, marking a crucial moment in the ongoing Syrian conflict. The decision followed a ceasefire agreement facilitated by international negotiations, allowing for the evacuation of civilians and wounded fighters from the war-torn city after recent violent confrontations. The situation has escalated tensions further, as the Syrian government continues to assert control over Kurdish-held areas, highlighting the complexities within the region.

The final Kurdish fighters have withdrawn from the Syrian city of Aleppo, after the announcement of a ceasefire deal in the early hours of Sunday morning.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 had been made through international mediation, ensuring the safe evacuation of martyrs, the wounded, the trapped civilians and the fighters from the city.

Buses carrying the last Kurdish-led SDF members were observed departing from the Kurdish-majority neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud, as reported by local media.

The latest clashes in Aleppo erupted earlier this week after discussions regarding the integration of Kurds into Syria's newly-formed government reached a stalemate.

The Kurdish-led SDF, which controls much of the northeast of Syria, has been involved in a complex conflict, with tensions rising significantly in recent weeks. At least 12 individuals have died in this recent outbreak of violence, and tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced, fleeing from both Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh.

According to reports, the Syrian army commenced shelling in the area on Wednesday after designating the neighborhoods as closed military areas, in response to purported attacks by armed groups. In contrast, the SDF denounced these actions as a criminal attempt to forcibly displace residents.

A ceasefire was initially proposed earlier this week; however, Kurdish forces had previously resisted exiting their last stronghold in Sheikh Maksoud.

This ongoing conflict highlights the intricate dynamics of Syrian governance, with significant foreign influence as the United States and other world powers attempt to mediate tensions amid fears of escalating involvement from Turkey, which views Kurdish forces as a terrorist organization.

Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey, provided remarks urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately cease hostilities, and return to dialogue in line with past agreements. He acknowledged Syria's recent political changes, pledging continued US support for stabilization efforts under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.