The Syrian Defense Ministry declared a temporary ceasefire in the embattled city of Aleppo early Friday, aiming to halt recent intense fighting in key districts and create space for armed groups to withdraw safely.
According to the official statement, the ceasefire took effect at 03:00 local time in the predominantly contested areas of Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid, which have been the centre of violent clashes between government forces and Kurdish-aligned fighters.
The defence ministry urged all armed formations in those neighbourhoods to leave the area within the agreed window, set to expire at 09:00 on Friday morning. Fighters exiting were permitted to carry only personal light weapons, and the Syrian army pledged to ensure their secure passage toward northeastern Syrian territory.
Goal: Stability, Law and Civilian Return
Officials said the ceasefire is designed to end military operations in the affected districts, reinstate government authority, and facilitate conditions that would allow displaced residents to return to their homes and resume daily life under improved security.
Coordination between internal security forces and the army was cited as part of the implementation plan for the disengagement process.
This initiative follows several days of heavy exchanges of fire, curfews and evacuations that saw tens of thousands of civilians flee their homes amid fears of escalating conflict.
Context of Broader Conflict
The latest ceasefire announcement comes amid escalating hostilities between Damascus-aligned forces and Kurdish-led groups, including the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have long administered Kurdish majority neighbourhoods in Aleppo.
Earlier fighting had prompted evacuation orders, humanitarian corridors and international calls for de-escalation, with both sides accusing one another of targeting civilian infrastructure.
As of this writing, Kurdish reactors to the Syrian defence ministry’s ceasefire call have not been publicly confirmed.
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