The last fighters from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have left the city of Aleppo, according to officials, following a ceasefire deal that allowed evacuations after days of deadly clashes.
Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib told media early on Sunday that Aleppo has become “empty of SDF fighters” after government forces coordinated their withdrawal on buses out of the city overnight.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi (also known as Mazloum Kobani) said the group had reached an understanding through international mediation on a ceasefire and the safe evacuation of civilians and fighters.
“We have reached an understanding that leads to a ceasefire and securing the evacuation of the dead, the wounded, the stranded civilians and the fighters from the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods to northern and eastern Syria,” he said in a post on X.
“We call on the mediators to adhere to their promises to stop the violations and work towards a safe return for the displaced to their homes,” he added.
The development came after the Syrian army took over the Kurdish-majority neighbourhood of Sheikh Maqsoud following days of clashes that broke out when talks to integrate the SDF into the national army collapsed.
At least 30 people were killed in the clashes, while more than 150,000 were displaced.
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