Syrian authorities, Kurdish forces agree on immediate ceasefire after Aleppo clashes

Syria's chief of defense authorities said Tuesday that he met with Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Damascus, where the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire across all fronts in northern and northeastern Syria after a day of intense clashes between government-aligned troops and the SDF.

In a brief statement, Marhaf Abu Qasra, chief of defense authorities, said that the meeting resulted in "a comprehensive ceasefire covering all axes and deployment points in northern and northeastern Syria, to be implemented immediately."

The ceasefire announcement came hours after heavy fighting shook the Kurdish-held neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah in Aleppo, killing one security officer and wounding several others, according to defense authorities.

The war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that pro-government forces had earlier surrounded two districts, using heavy and medium weapons in what it called the most serious escalation since March.

Defense authorities said the recent troop movements were part of a planned redeployment to "secure strategic points" following repeated SDF attacks on civilians, army units, and security forces. They emphasized that Damascus remains committed to the March 10 agreement with the SDF and has no intention of launching a wider offensive.

Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib urged residents to remain indoors, saying efforts were underway "to ensure this is the last night the city hears the sounds of clashes."

The SDF denied attacking government positions and accused Damascus-aligned groups of imposing "a suffocating siege" and provoking the confrontation.