The last Kurdish fighters withdrew from Aleppo, Syria, early Sunday after a ceasefire deal was reached. Mazloum Abdi, leader of the SDF, confirmed the agreement, mediated internationally. The deal ensured the safe evacuation of fighters, civilians, and the wounded.
Buses carrying SDF members were seen leaving Sheikh Maqsoud, a Kurdish-majority neighborhood. Clashes erupted earlier this week following stalled negotiations to integrate Kurds into the Syrian government. Syrian army shelling on Wednesday preceded the withdrawal.
At least 12 people died in the recent violence. Tens of thousands of civilians were displaced from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. The Syrian army designated the neighborhoods as closed military areas.
The Kurdish presence in Aleppo has been a point of contention amid the broader Syrian civil war. The SDF, backed by the U.S., played a key role in combating ISIS. Their future role in Syria remains uncertain.
The ceasefire aims to de-escalate tensions. Further talks regarding Kurdish integration into the Syrian government are expected. International observers will monitor the ceasefire.
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