Syrian Kurdish leader says will withdraw forces east of Euphrates on Saturday

Friday, 16 January, 2026 , 20:59

Qamishli, Syria, Jan 16, 2026 (AFP) — Syrian Kurdish leader Mazlum Abdi said his forces will withdraw to the east of the Euphrates River on Saturday, following violent clashes with Syrian government forces.

In a post on X, Abdi said on Friday that "based on calls from friendly countries and mediators... we have decided to withdraw our forces tomorrow morning at 7 am (0400 GMT)" east of Aleppo "towards redeployment in areas east of the Euphrates".

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