Kurdish Forces Conclude Withdrawal from Aleppo Following Ceasefire Agreement

Sun Jan 11 2026 18:19:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Kurdish fighters have completed their withdrawal from Aleppo after a ceasefire was negotiated, marking a significant moment in Syria's ongoing conflict.

The last members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have departed from Aleppo following an internationally mediated ceasefire agreement. The move comes after violent clashes and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians. The agreement aims to secure the safe passage of both civilians and fighters from the conflict-ridden city, which has seen its Kurdish contingent retreat amid stalled negotiations for political integration into the Syrian government.

The final Kurdish fighters have withdrawn from the Syrian city of Aleppo, after the announcement of a ceasefire deal in the early hours of Sunday morning.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 reached through international mediation, ensuring 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 neighbourhood of Sheikh Maqsoud, according to local media. The recent violent clashes in Aleppo erupted earlier this week following a deadlock in negotiations regarding the integration of Kurdish groups into Syria's new government.

At least 12 individuals were reported killed in these latest confrontations, which also resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians forced to flee Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. The Syrian army had shelled the area after labeling these neighbourhoods as closed military zones, justifying their actions by alleging attacks from armed groups.

The Kurdish SDF contended that they had no military presence in Aleppo, labeling the army's actions a criminal attempt to forcibly displace residents. Initial attempts at a ceasefire had been proposed earlier in the week, but Kurdish forces hesitated to depart from their last stronghold in Sheikh Maksoud.

Back in March 2025, the Kurdish-led SDF, which commands significant control over portions of Syria’s northeast, had signed a deal to merge all military and civilian institutions with the Syrian state. However, ongoing accusations between both parties about undermining negotiations have stalled actual implementation of this agreement.

The latest iteration of the ceasefire was mediated by the United States along with other global powers, in recognition of potential risks involving Turkey, which supports the Syrian government and labels the Kurdish militia, prominent in the SDF, as a terrorist organization.

In a recent post on social media, Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, mentioned his discussions with the Syrian president and urged all factions to exercise maximum restraint, immediately cease hostilities, and return to dialogue in line with the March agreement. Barrack affirmed the US's support for President Ahmed al-Sharaa's efforts in stabilizing the region as he navigates through this historic transition for Syria.