Kurdish forces refuse to withdraw from Aleppo after ceasefire

Kurdish forces refuse to withdraw from Aleppo after ceasefire Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 01/09/2026 - 10:14 Kurdish councils reject government demand to leave city following days of fighting Syrian security forces take control of Ashrafieh in Aleppo after clashes with the Syrian Democratic Forces on 9 January 2026 (Reuters) Off Kurdish forces on Friday refused to withdraw from Aleppo under ceasefire terms announced by Damascus, which put a halt to days of fierce fighting in Syria’s second city. The councils of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud districts said in a statement that the call to leave Aleppo amounted to “a call to surrender”, pledging instead to “defend their neighbourhoods”, accusing government forces of intensive shelling. The truce, initially set by the defence ministry from 3am to 9am in the Kurdish-majority districts of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh and Bani Zeid, was intended to allow US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters to withdraw with only personal light weapons and to prevent further civilian casualties. The ceasefire appeared to be largely holding after its window expired, with Syrian security forces advancing into parts of Ashrafieh and establishing control over key streets and buildings, according to state media. Government forces also seized weapons and ammunition, according to reports, while footage from the area showed soldiers positioning themselves as buses arrived to transport fighters out of the city, towards eastern parts of Syria held by Kurdish forces. Dozens of residents of Ashrafieh gathered at the entrance to the neighbourhood on al-Zuhour Street, waiting for permission to return, according to the state news agency Sana. The government has stressed that departing fighters will be escorted safely under the ceasefire, allowing civilians to gradually re-enter once security operations are complete. The withdrawal of Kurdish forces would mark a significant shift in Aleppo’s security landscape, with Damascus reasserting authority over neighbourhoods that had remained outside full government control for years. Mass displacement At least 22 people were killed in the violence that erupted earlier this week, including nine civilians, while more than 140,000 residents have fled their homes. Hospitals in Aleppo have been stretched beyond capacity, and entire districts were emptied almost overnight. Syrian authorities have warned displaced families not to return, citing unexploded ordnance, mines and ongoing security operations. Senior Assad commander reveals plan to destabilise Syria to 'fake Israeli agent' Read More » Tensions escalated further after Damascus accused the SDF of shelling a university housing complex, saying the group posed a direct threat to civilian life and public institutions. The US has been pushing for the integration of the SDF into the government. Progress, however, has been limited since the sides signed a framework agreement in March that was meant to be completed by the end of last year. US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack earlier welcomed what he described as a “temporary ceasefire”, saying Washington was working to extend it beyond the 9am deadline. Turkey, which views the SDF as extension to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), has previously warned of military action if the group does not honour the integration agreement. Speaking on Wednesday before the ceasefire, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said he hoped Aleppo’s situation would be stabilised “through the withdrawal of SDF elements”. In Damascus, meanwhile, Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. Von der Leyen, the highest-ranking EU official to visit Syria since Sharaa came to power in late 2024, pledged Europe's full support for Syria's recovery and reconstruction. Inside Syria News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0