Ceasefire Declared in Aleppo Following Intense Government-Kurdish Clashes

The Syrian Defense Ministry has announced a ceasefire in Aleppo as of Friday morning, January 9, 2026. This truce aims to end three days of violent conflict between the Syrian national army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—the heaviest fighting the city has seen since the transition of power in late 2024.

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Terms of the Agreement

Under the deal, a specific timeline was set for the de-escalation of the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh, and Bani Zaid:

• Evacuation: Kurdish-affiliated fighters were given until 9:00 a.m. Friday to vacate their positions.
• Safe Passage: The Syrian army agreed to escort departing fighters to northeastern Syria.
• Weaponry: Fighters are permitted to leave with personal light weapons only.
• Deployment: Syrian internal security forces have begun moving into vacated areas to restore government administration.

The Human & Political Cost

The brief but intense escalation has had significant consequences:

• Displacement: Roughly 142,000 civilians fled their homes to escape the shelling.
• Casualties: At least 21 people have been confirmed dead, including civilians.
• Root Cause: The violence stems from a breakdown in the March 2025 integration agreement, which was designed to merge the SDF into the national military framework.

What’s Next?

While the 9:00 a.m. deadline has passed, the situation remains delicate. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack is currently mediating between President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s transitional government and Kurdish leaders to ensure the truce holds and to prevent a wider regional conflict.

Kurdish leaders remain wary, voicing concerns that the withdrawal could lead to “demographic shifts” in historically Kurdish neighborhoods, while the government maintains the move is vital for national sovereignty.