SAEDNEWS: A ceasefire agreement has been reached for the withdrawal of Kurdish forces from the Syrian city of Aleppo.
According to Saednews, The accord, brokered by international mediators, facilitates the safe exit of civilians and combatants from the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maksood neighborhoods.
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), also known as QSD, began evacuating Sheikh Maksood neighborhood using buses, while Syria’s interim government forces are deploying within the area. Approximately 400 SDF personnel have reportedly left Aleppo and are moving towards areas under their control in eastern Syria.
US Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barak, held talks with the Syrian interim government's president and foreign minister in Damascus on Saturday night, discussing the situation in Aleppo. Barak stated that he urged all parties to cease hostilities and return to the negotiating table.
Aleppo, situated in northwestern Syria near the Turkish border, has been a focal point of conflict. The Syrian interim government’s army announced a halt to military operations in Sheikh Maksood on Wednesday, following clashes between government forces and SDF that resulted in at least nine deaths, mostly civilians. The fighting concentrated in Kurdish-majority areas, particularly Sheikh Maksood and Ashrafieh, and involved exchanges of fire.
This agreement follows recent talks in Damascus concerning the integration of SDF forces into the Syrian army, discussions which Kurdish officials say yielded "no tangible results." The SDF controls significant portions of northern and eastern Syria, including major oil and gas fields. The Syrian government accuses them of attempting to undermine integration agreements and escalate the conflict.
According to Sky News Arabia, the last SDF fighters departed Sheikh Maksood on Saturday night, moving towards eastern Syria. Syrian government officials stated that roughly 350 SDF fighters were transferred to northeastern Syria from the Sheikh Maksood area. Preparations are underway to clear the area of mines laid by SDF militants to enable the return of displaced residents.
More than 142 residents have been displaced from Aleppo province since the outbreak of hostilities in western Syria.
Barak’s meeting with al-Jarrah and Shiban on Saturday night reiterated calls for a cessation of hostilities and renewed engagement in dialogue.
Earlier, SDF commander Madhlum Abdi and the interim government's president met with Barak and CENTCOM Commander General Mark Milley in Damascus to advance negotiations. In March, they signed an agreement outlining the integration of Kurdish civilian and military institutions into national bodies by the end of the year, though disagreements have hindered implementation.
The SDF maintains that its aspirations for decentralized governance and the affirmation of constitutional rights have not been adequately addressed by Damascus.
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