Syria's defence ministry has now declared a ceasefire in three neighbourhoods of the northern city of Aleppo early on Friday, a move that could halt fresh fighting between government troops and Kurdish fighters.

A fierce exchange of fire extended into the night, with rescue workers scrambling to extinguish fires ignited by shelling, before the defence ministry said it would give armed groups a six-hour window to leave the contested areas.

The deadly stand-off between Damascus and Kurdish authorities who have resisted integrating into the central government is a major challenge for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has pledged to unite the country after 14 years of civil war.

"A ceasefire is to take effect in the vicinity of the Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyah, and Bani Zaid neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo, starting at 03:00 a.m. after midnight," the defence ministry said in a statement.

"Armed groups in the neighbourhoods are requested to leave the area starting at 03:00 a.m. after midnight. The deadline expires at 09:00 a.m. on Friday."

Its after a significant number of members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), affiliated with the PKK/YPG, reportedly defected in Aleppo as Syrian security forces prepare to deploy in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighbourhoods, Aleppo Governor Azzam Gharib said on Thursday.

“Information received indicated that large numbers of SDF members had defected in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, while others had fled,” Gharib said in a post on the social media platform X. He added that the developments could lead to a notable shift on the ground.

The governor said internal security forces were preparing to enter the two neighbourhoods to ensure stability and facilitate the return of displaced residents.

A government source told Alikhbariyah TV that residents in Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid had begun handing over parts of these areas to state authorities amid the defections. Security forces were preparing to move in and impose order as the process continued.

Since the start of SDF attacks on Tuesday (6 January), nearly 142,000 residents have been displaced from Aleppo.

The Syrian army launched targeted shelling of SDF positions on Thursday in response to attacks that reportedly killed at least nine civilians and injured dozens.

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The Syrian presidency announced an agreement for the SDF’s integration into state institutions on 10 March, reaffirming territorial unity. Authorities say the group has not yet complied with the terms of the deal.

Syrian security forces have intensified operations across the country following the political transition after Bashar al-Assad left office on 8 December 2024, ending a 24-year rule.

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