• Syrian military has taken control of Sheikh Maqsoud after clashes with Kurdish forces.
• A ceasefire agreement enabled the evacuation of Kurdish fighters from Aleppo.
• Clashes have displaced over 140,000 people and resulted in multiple civilian casualties.
• The Syrian army reported ongoing firefights despite claims of halted military operations.
• International mediators, including US representatives, supported ceasefire efforts.

The Syrian military has announced control over the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo following intense fighting with Kurdish forces, which has left at least 22 individuals dead over several days of clashes. This neighborhood was notably the last controlled by Kurdish groups in Aleppo and its capture marks a significant shift in the strategic landscape after negotiations for integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the national army collapsed. Reports indicate that over 140,000 people have been displaced due to the violence, prompting urgent calls for humanitarian assistance and a ceasefire.

Despite a declared ceasefire by the Syrian army, clashes persisted, and sporadic gunfire was reported even after military operations were said to have stopped. Amid the chaos, Kurdish forces alleged that the government was misleading the public regarding the status of control over Sheikh Maqsoud, asserting that they were mounting significant resistance against government forces. An SDF commander confirmed the agreement to evacuate both civilian and wounded fighters, highlighting that international mediation played a crucial role in reaching this ceasefire.

As part of the ceasefire, buses were employed to transport the remaining Kurdish fighters out of Sheikh Maqsoud to areas in northeastern Syria under their control. The local governor announced the completion of these transfers early Sunday morning, confirming the evacuation of all remaining SDF fighters from the city. The Syrian government is now facing the challenge of managing both the humanitarian fallout and restoring order in the region while addressing complex dynamics involving various local, national, and international stakeholders.