Syria sets 6-hour deadline for armed groups to exit Aleppo

WISE NEWS PRESS / ALEPPO, SYRIA

The Syrian Ministry of Defense has announced a six-hour humanitarian window in Aleppo, allowing armed groups to evacuate the city toward the northeast following days of intense urban combat.

The temporary ceasefire, which went into effect on the evening of January 8 and lasts until 09:00 local time tomorrow, covers the neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh, Sheikh Maqsoud, and Beni Zeid. Syrian military sources confirmed that army units have begun entering these predominantly Kurdish districts, reporting significant progress in securing areas previously held by elements linked to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Evacuation corridor and civilian safety

Government security forces have reportedly begun tasks aimed at protecting civilians in districts where control has partially shifted to the Syrian Army. The Ministry of Defense urged armed individuals to utilize the safe passage to the northeast, allowing them to carry light weaponry during the withdrawal. This move follows a call from the Ministry of Interior for civilians to vacate designated military zones to prevent further casualties.

The Syrian government, through its official news agency SANA, emphasized that Kurds are an "integral and inseparable part of Syrian society" and are viewed as equal partners with full rights. The state’s current priority remains securing Aleppo’s perimeter and pushing the "sources of fire" away from civilian-populated urban centers.

Breakdown of the March 10 Agreement

The recent surge in violence, which erupted on Tuesday, January 6, stems from the failed implementation of the March 10 agreement. Signed in 2025 between transitional leader Ahmed Shara and SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi, the pact aimed to integrate SDF forces, airports, and oil fields into the central Syrian administration.

However, disputes over the mechanism of integration and the administrative status of northeastern regions prevented the deal from taking effect. While Turkey had previously warned against any move it perceived as a threat to Syria's integrity, Ankara recently softened its tone, indicating support for the implementation of the March 10 agreement to ensure regional stability.

International and regional reactions

The escalation has drawn widespread concern from the international community. U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack stated that Washington is closely monitoring the situation in Sheikh Maqsoud with "great concern," calling for maximum restraint from all parties. Simultaneously, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric urged an immediate de-escalation, noting that over 30,000 people have been displaced due to the ongoing hostilities.

Regional leaders have also weighed in, with KDP leader Masoud Barzani warning of a potential "ethnic cleansing" threat against Kurds in Aleppo. In contrast, Damascus maintains that its security operations are conducted without discrimination, focusing solely on the removal of unauthorized armed presences to restore state authority.

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Source: BBC