Kurdish forces complete withdrawal from Aleppo after ceasefire deal

What happened: Kurdish-led fighters fully exited Aleppo following an overnight ceasefire agreement.

Why it matters now: The pullout ends days of urban fighting and marks a turning point in talks over Kurdish integration into Syria’s new power structure.

What changes for people: Active clashes have stopped, easing immediate security risks for civilians in northern Aleppo.

Who is affected: Kurdish communities, residents of Aleppo, Syria’s interim authorities, and regional mediators.

A fragile calm returns to Aleppo

The last Kurdish forces have left the Syrian city of Aleppo, bringing a tense week of fighting to a halt after a ceasefire deal reached early Sunday. The withdrawal follows negotiations mediated by international actors and is being closely watched as a test of Syria’s evolving post-war governance.

The agreement allows for the safe evacuation of fighters, wounded personnel, and civilians from contested neighbourhoods, according to Kurdish leadership statements. Local outlets reported convoys of buses departing from Sheikh Maqsoud, a district long considered a Kurdish stronghold.

What the ceasefire includes

Mazloum Abdi, head of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said the deal guarantees security for those leaving the city. He indicated that international mediators helped broker the arrangement after fighting escalated earlier this week.

Officials familiar with the talks say the ceasefire aims to prevent further civilian harm and stabilize front lines while broader political negotiations continue. The withdrawal effectively ends the SDF’s armed presence inside Aleppo city limits.

Why fighting erupted again

The clashes were triggered after talks to integrate Kurdish forces into Syria’s new governing framework stalled. Disagreements reportedly centered on command structures, local administration, and security control in northern regions.

Aleppo, once Syria’s largest city, remains strategically vital. Any shift in who controls its neighbourhoods has implications for security coordination, reconstruction plans, and humanitarian access.

Impact on civilians and security

For residents, the ceasefire brings immediate relief from shelling and street-level combat. Aid workers say reduced fighting could allow basic services and supply routes to resume, though damage assessments are still ongoing.

Security analysts caution that the situation remains delicate. Without a broader political settlement, localized ceasefires risk breaking down if negotiations falter again.

Regional and international implications

The Kurdish withdrawal is likely to influence future talks between Damascus and Kurdish representatives, as well as the role of external mediators involved in Syria’s conflict resolution efforts. Neighbouring countries and international partners are monitoring whether the agreement holds as a signal of longer-term stability.