Aleppo: Mazloum Abdi Announces Agreement to End Clashes and Withdraw SDF Fighters

Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), announced on Sunday the withdrawal of his fighters from Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, ending days of violent clashes with the Syrian Army following a new agreement. The clashes, which erupted last week, led to the displacement of thousands of civilians and casualties on both sides.

Ceasefire and Evacuation: Writing on "X" (formerly Twitter) early Sunday, Abdi stated: "Through the mediation of international parties to stop attacks against our people in Aleppo, we have reached an understanding for a ceasefire and the safe evacuation of martyrs, the wounded, trapped civilians, and fighters from the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods to North and East Syria."

Government Response: The Syrian Ministry of Defense had declared a ceasefire starting at 3:00 AM Friday to prevent military escalation within residential areas. State media reported that the final batch of SDF fighters has left the city, and the Governor of Aleppo, Azzam al-Gharib, confirmed that security is gradually returning to normal. Security units continue to deploy to maintain stability and protect residents. This escalation highlights the ongoing tension between Damascus and Kurdish authorities regarding integration into the central government.