A comprehensive ceasefire has been declared across all axes and military deployment points in North and Northeast Syria, effective immediately, following meetings in the capital, Damascus. The agreement was reached between the Syrian defense minister and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi, according to a statement from Murhaf Abu Qasra on X, dated October 7th, 2025. This truce follows resistance from the people of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiya, who stated they would advance into Aleppo if attacks persisted. The Syrian defense minister confirmed he met with Abdi, and both sides agreed to the 'comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts.' This development occurred amid ongoing high-level talks in Damascus involving the ANNES delegation and the Syrian transitional government, with US Special Envoy Tom Barrack also in attendance, as previously reported. The ceasefire declaration comes after an alleged major blow suffered by HTS and SNA forces overnight, forcing their retreat, according to an update from _3buR1ah on X. Previous reports indicated that the ANNES delegation, including Abdi, arrived in Damascus on the morning of October 7th for negotiations. These talks were prompted in part by an earlier bombing incident in Aleppo where residential neighborhoods were targeted. Aleppo Governor Azzam Al-Gharib had visited hospitals to assess the aftermath and stressed civilian safety. There were also unconfirmed reports of confessions from a detained individual claiming significant civilian casualties and the use of heavy weapons by security forces.
