ALEPPO: Fierce fighting in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo between government forces and Kurdish fighters drove thousands of civilians from their homes on Wednesday, with Washington reported to be mediating a de-escalation. The violence, and statements trading blame over who started it, signaled that a stalemate between Damascus and Kurdish authorities that have resisted integrating into the central government was deepening and growing deadlier.

At least 12 people have reportedly been killed in the city, where the army is demanding Kurdish fighters leave two neighbourhoods.

Violence follows failure to implement deal to integrate Kurdish-led forces into Syrian state institutions.