The deadline set by the Syrian Ministry of Defense for fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to leave the northern city of Aleppo expired on Friday morning.

An Anadolu Agency correspondent reported that the Syrian army has largely taken control of the Ashrafieh and Bani Zaid districts during what were described as precise operations against the group.

According to the report, the deadline ended at 9:00 a.m. local time. The ministry had granted armed SDF groups, described as an affiliate of the PKK/YPG, permission to leave the city carrying only light personal weapons.

Earlier on Friday, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced a ceasefire from 3:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. in three neighborhoods of Aleppo, granting SDF fighters a limited window to withdraw from the city.