Syrian Internal Security Forces secure the streets as they enter the Ashrafiyeh neighborhood of the city of Aleppo, northern Syria late on January 8, 2026, following heavy clashes with the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's defence ministry announced a ceasefire in Aleppo on January 9, 2026, after days of deadly clashes between the army and Kurdish fighters forced thousands of civilians to flee. The violence, which has killed at least 21 people, is the worst to erupt since the Islamist authorities took power just over one year ago.