Syria announces ceasefire in Aleppo after days of clashes

Syria's Defense Ministry said a ceasefire began at 3 a.m. in three Aleppo neighborhoods and gave armed groups six hours to leave; the fighting has displaced about 142,000 people.

Syria's Defense Ministry announced a ceasefire in Aleppo after three days of clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters. The statement said the ceasefire took effect at 3 a.m. in the Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid neighborhoods and allowed armed groups six hours to leave. The ministry said departing fighters could carry personal light weapons and would be escorted to the country's northeast. Local Kurdish authorities rejected calls to evacuate fighters, and there was no immediate response from the Syrian Democratic Forces. Known details: - The Defense Ministry announced the ceasefire and set a six-hour window for armed groups to leave three neighborhoods in northern Aleppo. - By the deadline, no fighters had departed and buses prepared for evacuations remained empty, according to reports. - Reports say roughly 142,000 people were displaced by the clashes, and officials on both sides reported civilian deaths (12 in Kurdish-majority areas and 9 in government-controlled areas). - U.S. envoy Tom Barrack welcomed the announced pause and said he was working with parties to extend the ceasefire beyond the six-hour deadline. Summary: The announced pause is meant to halt immediate fighting in contested Aleppo neighborhoods and address urgent displacement and damage. Implementation was incomplete by the set deadline, with evacuations not proceeding as described. International representatives reported efforts to extend the pause; further developments are undetermined at this time.