US gravely concerned by Aleppo fighting, wants it to end, says envoy

The United States calls for an end to clashes between government troops and Kurdish fighters in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, saying it was gravely concerned by the situation.

Tom Barrack, Trump’s special envoy for Syria, says the United States and its allies were ready to help efforts to de-escalate tensions between government troops and Kurdish forces, which include the Syrian Democratic Forces group.

“We therefore issue an urgent appeal to the leadership of the Syrian government, SDF, local authorities in Kurdish-administered areas, and all armed actors on the ground: pause hostilities, reduce tensions immediately, and commit to de-escalation,” Barrack says in a post on X.

The United States is closely following developments in the Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods of Aleppo with grave concern. We urge all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and to place the protection of civilian lives and property above all other considerations.…

— Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) January 8, 2026