The final Kurdish fighters have withdrawn from the Syrian city of Aleppo, after the announcement of a ceasefire deal in the early hours of Sunday morning.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 an agreement was reached via international mediation, ensuring the secured evacuation of martyrs, the wounded, the trapped civilians, and the fighters from the city.
Buses carrying the last Kurdish-led SDF members were spotted leaving the predominantly Kurdish neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud, according to local media sources.
The recent clashes in Aleppo commenced earlier this week after negotiations to integrate the Kurds into Syria's new government failed to progress.
At least 12 individuals lost their lives in the latest wave of violence, prompting tens of thousands of civilians to flee Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. The Syrian army carried out bombardments in the area after designating these neighborhoods as closed military areas, citing attacks from armed groups.
The SDF denied any military presence in Aleppo and condemned the response as a criminal attempt to displace residents forcibly.
Despite an earlier ceasefire being suggested, Kurdish forces initially resisted vacating Sheikh Maksoud, their final stronghold, under the agreement.
A ceasefire was eventually established, mediated by the US and other global powers, following fears that the standoff in Aleppo might provoke Turkey's involvement. Turkey, which supports the Syrian government, classifies the Kurdish militia as a terrorist organization.
In a recent post on X, the US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, highlighted his meetings with the Syrian president and urged all parties to “exercise maximum restraint, cease hostilities immediately, and return to dialogue” in line with the March agreement. He also remarked on the US's support for President Ahmed al-Sharaa as he seeks to stabilize the nation.
