In a rare diplomatic move, Syria's chief of defense Marhaf Abu Qasra met with SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi in Damascus and brokered an immediate ceasefire across northern and northeastern Syria.
In a brief statement, Abu Qasra announced "a comprehensive ceasefire covering all axes and deployment points in northern and northeastern Syria, to be implemented immediately."
The agreement comes after heavy fighting in the Kurdish-held neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah in Aleppo, which claimed the life of one security officer and wounded several others.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the clashes as the most serious escalation since March, with pro-government forces using heavy and medium weapons to surround the districts.
Defense authorities said recent troop movements were part of a planned redeployment to secure strategic points following what they called repeated SDF attacks on civilians, army units, and security forces. They stressed there is no intention of a wider offensive, in line with the March 10 agreement with the SDF.
Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib urged residents to remain indoors, hoping "this is the last night the city hears the sounds of clashes."
The SDF denied launching attacks on government positions and accused Damascus-aligned groups of imposing "a suffocating siege" and provoking the confrontation.
As the ceasefire takes effect, local communities and international observers will watch closely to see if this fragile pause holds and paves the way for more stable peace efforts.
Reference(s):
Syrian authorities, Kurdish SDF agree ceasefire after Aleppo clashes
cgtn.com
