The final Kurdish fighters have withdrawn from the Syrian city of Aleppo after a ceasefire deal was reached, ending days of violent clashes that had raised fears of broader conflict. This development, confirmed by local officials and reported by major news outlets, represents a critical step towards stabilizing Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, following intense fighting in Kurdish-majority neighborhoods.
The withdrawal occurred overnight, with buses transporting members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh districts to areas under SDF control in northeastern Syria. Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib announced that the city is now ’empty of SDF fighters,’ while SDF commander Mazloum Abdi stated that an understanding had been reached through international mediation to secure the safe evacuation of combatants, civilians, and casualties. The ceasefire, which took effect in the early hours of Sunday, allowed for the coordinated exit, bringing a temporary calm to a region that had been engulfed in violence.
The clashes erupted earlier this week after negotiations to integrate the SDF into Syria’s national army, as per a March 2025 agreement, reached a stalemate. Both sides accused each other of undermining the integration process, with the Syrian government designating Kurdish neighborhoods as ‘closed military areas’ and shelling them in response to alleged attacks. The SDF, which controls significant territory in northeast Syria, insisted it had no military presence in Aleppo and condemned the government’s actions as a ‘criminal attempt’ to displace residents.
Humanitarian costs were severe, with at least 30 people killed and more than 150,000 civilians forced to flee their homes during the fighting. Local reports described scenes of chaos as families evacuated under fire, adding to Syria’s long history of displacement since the war began in 2011. The international community expressed concern over the escalation, prompting mediation efforts led by the United States, which has ties to both the SDF and the Syrian government.
U.S. involvement was pivotal in brokering the ceasefire, with Special Envoy Tom Barrack urging all parties to exercise restraint and return to dialogue. The SDF commander acknowledged the mediation, calling on stakeholders to adhere to their promises and facilitate the safe return of displaced civilians. This diplomatic intervention underscores the complex role of external actors in Syria’s ongoing transition, particularly as the U.S. seeks to balance its alliance with Kurdish forces against broader geopolitical interests, including relations with Turkey, which views the SDF as a terrorist organization.
While the immediate fighting has ceased, the underlying tensions between Damascus and the Kurdish-led forces remain unresolved. The failure to implement the integration agreement highlights deep-seated distrust and competing visions for Syria’s future, with the SDF demanding autonomy in northeastern regions. Analysts warn that without a sustainable political solution, similar outbreaks could recur, jeopardizing the fragile stability achieved since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024.
Looking ahead, the focus shifts to whether the ceasefire can hold and if negotiations will resume to address the SDF’s status within the Syrian state. The withdrawal from Aleppo may set a precedent for other contested areas, but it also raises questions about the Kurds’ long-term security and rights. As Syria continues its arduous recovery from decades of conflict, events in Aleppo serve as a reminder of the persistent challenges in unifying a fractured nation under a new government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
