The final Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters have left Aleppo following a ceasefire deal, marking the removal of Kurdish forces from neighborhoods they controlled since the Syrian conflict began in 2011.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said the withdrawal from Ashrafiyah and Sheikh Maksoud neighborhoods was achieved through international mediation, allowing safe evacuation of civilians and fighters to northern and eastern Syria.
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The Syrian army conducted ground operations to secure the districts, while more than 140,000 residents have been displaced due to intense street fighting, with buses transporting men, women, and children to temporary shelters.
Disputes arose over the status of those leaving, as Syrian security officials claimed some were Kurdish internal security forces, while the Asayish denied that any fighters had departed, insisting only civilians were evacuated.
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International actors, including the United States, have called for restraint and dialogue, warning all parties to respect a consolidated ceasefire and facilitate peaceful withdrawal without further civilian harm or infrastructure damage.
The conflict disrupted Aleppo’s transportation and industrial zones, including closure of the key highway to Turkey and the city’s international airport, highlighting ongoing challenges in stabilizing northern Syria amid stalled Kurdish integration talks.