Key Points
- After days of intense clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters in Aleppo, a ceasefire was announced early Friday
- US Special Envoy to Syria welcomes the pause in fighting and expresses gratitude to all parties involved
- Tens of thousands of civilians were displaced by the violence, and humanitarian concerns remain
- Washington calls for the temporary truce to be extended and for broader calm and dialogue
ISLAMABAD: The United States has welcomed a ceasefire in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo following three days of intense fighting between government forces and Kurdish fighters that displaced tens of thousands of people, US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said on Friday.
Syria’s Defence Ministry announced the temporary truce early Friday, effective from 3 a.m. local time, in the contested Aleppo neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid.
The agreement provided armed groups with a window to withdraw with their personal light weapons under escort to Kurdish-controlled areas further east, according to the Week.
In a statement posted on X, Barrack “warmly welcomed” the temporary ceasefire and extended “profound gratitude to all parties, the Syrian government, the Syrian Democratic Forces, local authorities and community leaders, for the restraint and goodwill that made this vital pause possible.”
He said the United States was working with the parties to extend the truce beyond its initial deadline and maintain momentum toward broader peace and dialogue.
Humanitarian concerns remain acute after the clashes forced large numbers of civilians to flee their homes.
Both sides have exchanged accusations over who initiated the violence and alleged targeting of civilian infrastructure during the fighting.
