Syria announces ceasefire in Aleppo after three days of clashes with Kurds

"The pause in the fighting, which was the most intense in the country for more than six months, came into effect at 3am local time (midnight GMT). Under the terms of the ceasefire, Kurdish militants were to leave the three contested neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh and Bani Zaid, where clashes were happening. They would be provided safe passage to the north-east of the country, which is controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and be allowed to take light arms with them."

"Whether the deal would hold remained unclear, as the SDF has yet to announce its agreement to the truce and similar ceasefires have collapsed in the past. According to Reuters, the Asayish, the internal security forces of the SDF, denied that its forces had requested safe passage and had asked that Damascus withdraw its soldiers instead. A resident of Aleppo said the fighting appeared to cease overnight"

"Members of the government security forces posted videos showing clearing operations being conducted in some of the neighbourhoods, as well as videos of underground tunnels being inspected that the SDF have used to transport fighters and weapons beneath Aleppo. The US special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, confirmed the deal in a post on X, stating the US warmly welcomes the temporary ceasefire, and thanking both sides for their restraint and goodwill that made this vital pause possible."

A ceasefire began after three days of intense clashes in Aleppo that displaced more than 140,000 people. The truce, effective at 3am local time, required Kurdish militants to leave Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh and Bani Zaid and to receive safe passage to the north-east, where the Kurdish-led SDF controls territory, with permission to carry light arms. The SDF had not publicly confirmed the deal and the Asayish denied requesting safe passage, instead demanding a government withdrawal. Residents reported fighting stopped overnight. Government forces showed clearing operations and inspected tunnels used by SDF fighters. US envoy Tom Barrack welcomed the pause. Prior integration talks between the SDF and the government have stalled.

Read at www.theguardian.com