Ceasefire Declared in Aleppo as 142,000 Flee Fighting

On Friday, January 9, 2026, Syria’s Defense Ministry announced a unilateral ceasefire in Aleppo. This truce follows three days of intense urban warfare that displaced roughly 142,000 residents. Taking effect at 3:00 AM, the pause in fighting seeks to halt the most severe violence the city has witnessed since the government transition in late 2024.

A Fragile Peace and Humanitarian Exodus

The conflict erupted on January 6, pitting government forces against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Specifically, the fighting centered on the Kurdish-majority districts of Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, and Bani Zaid.

According to reports from the UN and local directorates, the impact has been devastating:

• Casualties: At least 21 people have been killed, with dozens more wounded across both government and Kurdish-held sectors.
• Mass Displacement: An estimated 142,000 people have fled their homes. While many have migrated toward Afrin, thousands more are currently seeking shelter in mosques, churches, and nine collective centers inside Aleppo.
• Infrastructure: Furthermore, multiple hospitals have ceased operations due to heavy shelling, and flights at Aleppo International Airport remain suspended.

The Failed Integration Deal

The current violence is deeply rooted in the stalled implementation of the March 2025 Agreement. This landmark deal was intended to merge the U.S.-backed SDF into the Syrian national army by the end of 2025.

However, the year-end deadline passed without success. Both sides are currently trading accusations of stalling, primarily over disputes regarding Kurdish military autonomy and regional security commands. Consequently, this political impasse has spilled over into direct military confrontation.

Terms of the Withdrawal

Under the current ceasefire terms, the Ministry of Defense has provided a specific window for armed groups to exit the contested neighborhoods. The agreement includes the following points:

1. Safe Passage: Fighters are permitted to leave toward the northeast while carrying only light personal weapons.
2. Military Escort: The Syrian Arab Army has pledged to provide an escort to ensure safe passage to SDF-controlled territories.
3. Restoration of Authority: Internal security forces have already begun deploying in Ashrafieh to restore official institutions and allow civilians to return.

U.S. envoy Tom Barrack welcomed the “vital pause” and is reportedly working with both the Syrian government and SDF leadership to extend the ceasefire.

Nevertheless, for the thousands currently huddled in city mosques, the fear remains that this is merely a temporary reprieve in a decades-long struggle for stability.

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