Kurdish SDF Completes Withdrawal from Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud Following Ceasefire Deal
Updated (14 articles)
Ceasefire and evacuation deadline set Syria’s Defence Ministry announced a 3 a.m. cease‑fire on 9 January, giving armed groups six hours to leave Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid, after which “closed military zones” would be declared [6]. Buses prepared for evacuation remained empty at the deadline, and nearby gunfire and artillery were reported, indicating the pause quickly faltered [6]. By 11 January the Syrian Civil Defence reported roughly 850 civilians had already left, while the government prepared “targeted operations” to follow the deadline [13][12].
Final Kurdish withdrawal completed In the early hours of 11 January the last Kurdish‑led SDF fighters departed Aleppo, with state media showing buses carrying about 360 fighters plus civilians and detainees to SDF‑controlled areas in the northeast [3][2]. Mazloum Abdi, SDF commander, described the movement as a humanitarian evacuation secured through U.S.‑backed mediation, not a military retreat [2]. The departure marked the end of Kurdish presence in the contested districts, confirming the cease‑fire’s implementation [2][3].
Casualties and displacement figures converge Across the five‑day clash, at least 21–23 people were killed, including civilians on both sides, and more than 140,000 residents were forced from their homes [1][5][8]. Government sources cited nine civilian deaths in surrounding areas, while Kurdish reports listed at least twelve civilian fatalities in Kurdish‑majority neighborhoods [11][8]. The massive displacement prompted the United Nations to dispatch additional food, fuel and shelter convoys [1].
Government claims of clearing versus Kurdish denial The Syrian army announced on 10 January that it had “finished combing” Sheikh Maqsoud, asserting control over the last Kurdish‑held pocket [4]. Kurdish representatives issued a written denial, insisting fighters remained in hiding and that the area was not fully captured [4]. Reuters journalists on the ground reported no active clashes after the army’s statement, highlighting the contested narrative [4].
Humanitarian response and international mediation First responders entered the devastated neighborhoods on 11 January, assessing damage to hospitals and distributing aid while UN agencies coordinated relief for thousands in shelters [1]. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack met with Jordan’s foreign minister and called for restraint, linking the cease‑fire to the stalled March 2025 integration agreement [3][5][9]. Turkey warned it would support Damascus if asked, and the United Nations urged a swift return to negotiations to implement the integration deal [5][8].
Sources
-
1.
AP: First responders enter devastated Aleppo neighborhood after days of deadly fighting: reports first‑responders assessing damage, UN convoys arriving, and 23 killed with 140 k displaced .
-
2.
BBC: Last Kurdish forces withdraw from Aleppo after ceasefire deal reached: details early‑hour departure of 360 fighters, Mazloum Abdi’s mediation claim, and U.S.‑led cease‑fire .
-
3.
AP: Kurdish fighters evacuated from Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud after days of clashes: confirms bus evacuations of 360 fighters, mediation‑driven cease‑fire, and 22 deaths .
-
4.
The Hindu: Syrian army says it cleared last Kurdish‑held area in Aleppo; Kurds deny takeover: army’s claim of clearing Sheikh Maqsoud versus Kurdish denial of loss .
-
5.
The Hindu: Syria urges Kurdish fighters to surrender as Aleppo operation nears completion: notes operation >90 % complete, arrests of SDF members, and pressure to surrender .
-
6.
AP: Aleppo ceasefire falters as fighting resumes after Syria's defense ministry announcement: describes 3 a.m. cease‑fire, six‑hour deadline, empty evacuation buses, and 142 k displaced .
-
7.
The Hindu: Kurdish fighters refuse to leave Aleppo after truce: reports Kurdish refusal to withdraw despite truce, 16 k fleeing, and U.S. envoy’s welcome of cease‑fire .
-
8.
AP: Thousands flee Aleppo as government‑Kurdish clashes escalate with civilian toll rising: details 1 p.m. evacuation deadline, 142 k displaced, and church sheltering 100 people .
-
9.
CNN: Syrian army strikes in Aleppo force thousands to flee as fighting with Kurdish‑led SDF intensifies: outlines army strike maps, curfew, 13.5 k evacuated, and ethnic‑cleansing warnings .
-
10.
The Hindu: Syrian authorities order evacuations in Aleppo as clashes with Kurdish‑led SDF intensify: notes evacuation corridor, 46 k displaced by 7 Jan, and stalled March integration talks .
-
11.
BBC: Clashes in Aleppo kill at least 12, force tens of thousands from Kurdish neighbourhoods: reports 12 deaths, “closed military areas” designation, and SDF denial of presence .
-
12.
AP: Clashes break out in Aleppo after government opens corridors; hundreds flee Kurdish neighborhoods: describes 3 p.m. deadline, 850 evacuees, 11 dead, and limited military operation claim .
-
13.
The Hindu: Syrian army shells Kurdish‑held Aleppo districts after evacuation deadline: details shelling after 3 p.m. deadline, humanitarian crossings, and focus on Kurdish districts .
-
14.
AP: Deadliest exchange yet between Syrian government and Kurdish SDF erupts in Aleppo: recounts 1 soldier and multiple civilian deaths on 6 January, drone strike claims, and stalled SDF‑government merger .
Timeline
Mar 2025 – The Syrian government and Kurdish‑led SDF sign a deal to integrate all Kurdish military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state by the end of 2025, but implementation stalls amid mutual accusations of derailment [1].
Jan 6, 2026 – The fiercest urban fighting erupts in northern Aleppo as Syrian army forces clash with SDF fighters, killing a soldier, three civilians and wounding dozens, while the SDF blames government‑affiliated factions for a shell that hits Sheikh Maqsoud and reports a drone strike on a civilian [9].
Jan 7, 2026 – Syrian army declares Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh “closed military zones” at 3 p.m., opens two humanitarian crossings, then shells the Kurdish neighbourhoods after the evacuation deadline expires, prompting at least 12 deaths and mass displacement [8,14,2].
Jan 7, 2026 – The military opens evacuation corridors for civilians in Sheikh Maqsoud and Achrafieh; clashes break out as residents flee, resulting in 11 deaths, 850 evacuees and the army’s announcement of a “limited military operation” against the SDF [8].
Jan 8, 2026 – Syrian army launches new strikes in Aleppo, issues over seven target maps and imposes a curfew on Kurdish districts, while civil defence reports evacuating roughly 13,500 people, mostly women, children and the vulnerable [3].
Jan 8, 2026 – Authorities order civilians to evacuate Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid by 1 p.m., publish maps of targeted zones and report over 46,000 displaced, with both sides accusing each other of civilian killings [13].
Jan 9, 2026 – The Defence Ministry declares a 3 a.m. ceasefire in Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid, gives armed groups six hours to depart, but Kurdish councils reject evacuation and fighting continues, while displacement reaches about 142,000 [6,12].
Jan 9, 2026 – U.S. envoy Tom Barrack welcomes the ceasefire on X and signals plans to extend the pause, while analysts warn the clash could expand into a wider Damascus‑SDF conflict [12].
Jan 9, 2026 – Turkey states it is ready to assist Syria if requested, underscoring regional stakes as the SDF resists integration and the Syrian army continues operations [3].
Jan 10, 2026 – Syrian army reports it has cleared Sheikh Maqsoud, claiming the operation is over 90 % complete and arresting several SDF members, while Kurdish forces deny the capture and say resistance continues [11,10].
Jan 10, 2026 – U.S. envoy Tom Barrack meets Jordan’s foreign minister in Amman to consolidate the ceasefire and secure Kurdish withdrawal from Aleppo [10].
Jan 10, 2026 – President Donald Trump tells Kurdish broadcaster Rudaw he wants peace and asserts the United States can work with both Kurds and the Syrian government [6].
Jan 11, 2026 – Mazloum Abdi says international mediation secures an evacuation of civilians, fighters and the wounded from Sheikh Maqsoud, framing the pull‑out as a humanitarian operation [1].
Jan 11, 2026 – Buses transport the last 360 SDF fighters and dozens of civilians from Sheikh Maqsoud to northeastern Syria, marking the final Kurdish withdrawal after a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. and allies [5].
Jan 11, 2026 – First responders enter the contested Aleppo district, the UN prepares additional food, fuel and blanket convoys, and the city appears calm after five days of fighting that killed at least 23 and displaced over 140,000 [4].
Late Jan 2026 (planned) – The United Nations plans to dispatch further humanitarian convoys to Aleppo’s Kurdish districts, while U.S. envoy Tom Barrack intends to travel to Damascus to advance negotiations on the SDF‑government merger [4,11].
Dive deeper (13 sub-stories)
-
AP: First responders enter devastated Aleppo neighborhood after days of deadly fighting
-
BBC: Last Kurdish forces withdraw from Aleppo after ceasefire deal reached
-
AP: Kurdish fighters evacuated from Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud after days of clashes
-
The Hindu: Syrian army says it cleared last Kurdish-held area in Aleppo; Kurds deny takeover
-
The Hindu: Syria urges Kurdish fighters to surrender as Aleppo operation nears completion
-
Aleppo Ceasefire Collapses as Kurdish Fighters Defy Evacuation Orders, Fighting Resumes
(2 articles)
-
AP: Thousands flee Aleppo as government-Kurdish clashes escalate with civilian toll rising
-
CNN: Syrian army strikes in Aleppo force thousands to flee as fighting with Kurdish-led SDF intensifies
-
The Hindu: Syrian authorities order evacuations in Aleppo as clashes with Kurdish-led SDF intensify
-
BBC: Clashes in Aleppo kill at least 12, force tens of thousands from Kurdish neighbourhoods
-
AP: Clashes break out in Aleppo after government opens corridors; hundreds flee Kurdish neighborhoods
-
The Hindu: Syrian army shells Kurdish-held Aleppo districts after evacuation deadline
-
AP: Deadliest exchange yet between Syrian government and Kurdish SDF erupts in Aleppo