Aleppo Ceasefire Collapses as Kurdish Fighters Defy Evacuation Orders, Fighting Resumes
Updated (2 articles)
Defense Ministry Announces Six‑Hour Ceasefire at Dawn Syria’s Defense Ministry declared a ceasefire to begin at 03:00 a.m. on 9 January, granting Kurdish fighters until 09:00 a.m. to leave Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid, with promised escorted transport to the northeast [1][2]. The ministry framed the pause as a “clearing operation” and sealed Sheikh Maqsoud as a closed military zone [1]. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack publicly welcomed the pause and signaled efforts to extend it beyond the six‑hour window [1][2].
Kurdish Units Reject Evacuation and Remain in Districts Kurdish militias announced they would stay to defend their neighborhoods, rejecting the government’s departure order [2]. Local Kurdish councils echoed the refusal, creating a direct split with the ceasefire terms [2]. The Syrian army’s patrols continued through the night, but no Kurdish fighters withdrew as scheduled [1].
Gunfire and Artillery Resurface Despite Truce Shortly after the deadline, AP reported gunfire and an artillery shell near the evacuation buses, indicating that hostilities had reignited [1]. Hindu’s coverage noted that while the truce appeared to hold into Friday morning, fighting persisted in some pockets the previous night [2]. Both sources confirm that the ceasefire failed to produce a lasting cessation of combat.
Displacement Numbers Diverge Across Reports AP estimated that roughly 142,000 residents were displaced by the clashes in Aleppo’s contested districts [1]. In contrast, Hindu cited state television figures of about 16,000 people fleeing on Thursday, acknowledging a broader displacement of “tens of thousands” [2]. The discrepancy highlights differing methodologies or reporting windows for civilian movement.
U.S. Officials Emphasize Diplomatic Push for Extended Calm President Donald Trump told Kurdish broadcaster Rudaw that the United States seeks peace with both Kurds and the Syrian government [1]. Barrack thanked all parties for the restraint that enabled the pause and pursued extensions [1]. Hindu reported the U.S. envoy’s supportive post on X, underscoring ongoing diplomatic engagement to prevent a wider Damascus‑SDF conflict [2].
Sources
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1.
AP: Aleppo ceasefire falters as fighting resumes after Syria's defense ministry announcement – details the 3 a.m. ceasefire, empty evacuation buses, renewed shelling, 142,000 displaced, and Tom Barrack’s response .
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2.
The Hindu: Kurdish fighters refuse to leave Aleppo after truce – outlines Kurdish refusal, 16,000 fled Thursday, truce status Friday, U.S. envoy’s X post, and analyst warnings of regional escalation .
Timeline
Early Jan 2026 – Days of intense clashes erupt in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid districts, with artillery and drone strikes displacing tens of thousands and setting the stage for a cease‑fire attempt [1].
Jan 8, 2026 – State television reports roughly 16,000 civilians flee Aleppo on Thursday as fighting intensifies, adding to the broader displacement crisis [2].
Jan 9, 2026, 3:00 a.m. – Syria’s Defense Ministry declares a cease‑fire in the three contested neighborhoods, designates Sheikh Maqsoud a closed military zone, and orders armed groups to evacuate to the northeast within six hours; evacuation buses remain empty amid nearby gunfire [1][2].
Jan 9, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – Kurdish fighters publicly refuse the evacuation order, saying they will stay to defend Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh and Bani Zeid, thereby splitting from the cease‑fire terms and complicating integration talks [2].
Jan 9, 2026, morning – The truce largely holds into Friday morning despite sporadic night fighting, indicating a fragile but observable pause in hostilities [2].
Jan 9, 2026 – U.S. envoy Tom Barrack welcomes the pause, thanks the parties for restraint, and says Washington is negotiating to extend the six‑hour cease‑fire beyond its deadline [1].
Jan 9, 2026 – President Donald Trump tells Kurdish broadcaster Rudaw he wants peace and asserts the United States can work with both the Kurds and the Syrian government despite their historic enmity [1].
Jan 9, 2026 – Officials estimate the recent Aleppo fighting displaces about 142,000 residents, underscoring the humanitarian scale of the conflict [1].
Jan 9, 2026 – Analysts warn the stalled cease‑fire could spark a wider Damascus‑SDF confrontation with regional powers, highlighting the risk of escalation if negotiations fail [2].
Jan 9, 2026 (future) – The United States plans to pursue an extension of the cease‑fire beyond the original six‑hour window, aiming for a more durable calm in Aleppo [1].