Overview
- Syria's Defense Ministry declared a temporary truce covering Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh and Bani Zeid from 3 a.m., giving SDF‑linked fighters until 9 a.m. to leave with light personal weapons under escort to the northeast.
- Local Kurdish councils in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh rejected the order as a surrender demand and said their forces would defend the districts.
- Reuters journalists and security sources reported buses entering Kurdish‑held areas for a possible evacuation as the pause was informally extended in parts, while the army warned it would restart strikes if withdrawal did not proceed.
- Fighting since Tuesday has killed at least 21 people and displaced roughly 142,000 residents, with both sides accusing the other of shelling civilian areas and services.
- U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said he is working to prolong the ceasefire, as Turkey voiced support for Damascus’ operations and the clashes exposed the stalemate over integrating the SDF into state structures.