The Syrian government has reached an agreement with the forces affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) operating in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods of Aleppo in northern Syria, which stipulates coordination between the two sides and the gradual withdrawal of the latter.
The agreement, which took place between the Civil Council of the Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods and the committee appointed by the presidency, consists of 14 clauses:
- The Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods, which have a Kurdish majority, will have appointed administrators, and the protection and respect for the social and cultural privacy of the neighborhoods will be activated.
- The provisions of this civil agreement will apply once the Kurdish and central Syrian sides agree on a sustainable text.
- The Ministry of Interior will coordinate with internal security forces to ensure the protection of the residents of the neighborhoods and prevent any attacks or threats to their lives.
- Armed manifestations in the neighborhoods will be prohibited, limiting weapons to the hands of the internal security forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior in the neighborhoods.
- Opening crossings between the neighborhoods while keeping the main barriers under the supervision of the internal security affiliated with the Ministry of Interior of the Syrian state and the internal security of the neighborhoods.
- The withdrawal of military forces affiliated with the SDF will occur gradually from the neighborhoods to their concentration area in northeastern Syria.
- Establishing an internal security center in each of the Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods.
- Prevention of pursuing any individuals pursued prior to the agreement, provided they “do not have blood on their hands” of Syrians.
- Forming a coordination committee to facilitate movement and transportation between the city of Aleppo and northeastern Syria.
- Establishing technical committees to implement the agreement on the ground.
- Coordination between civil institutions to provide services to the neighborhoods without discrimination against other neighborhoods in Aleppo, through municipal teams present in the neighborhoods.
- Discussing the fate of detainees from both sides in Aleppo province and exchanging all prisoners captured after liberation.
- Granting the neighborhoods the right to fair representation in the Aleppo Provincial Council, chambers of commerce, industry, and other sectors, in accordance with existing laws.
- Preserving the existing service, administrative, educational, municipal institutions, and local councils in the neighborhoods until the joint committees agree on a sustainable solution.
For its part, Enab Baladi contacted the Aleppo governorate to inquire about the date of the agreement’s implementation, but did not receive a response by the time this news was released.
AANES comments
Badran Jiya Kurd, an advisor to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), the governing arm of the SDF, confirmed the signing of the agreement, describing it as “an important step towards enhancing stability and coexistence.”
He also affirmed that the agreement stipulates that the internal security forces and their barriers remain as they are, according to a specified mechanism with the Ministry of Interior, without interference from any other faction or armed group.
Kurd also held the Damascus authorities responsible for any threats that may face the neighborhoods via a post on the “X” platform.
He considered that the agreement is the first phase of a broader plan aimed at ensuring the safe return of Afrin residents, stressing that negotiations are still ongoing to achieve this goal.
After the Damascus-SDF agreement
Since the entry of the Military Operations Administration, which is the nucleus of the current military authority, into Aleppo on November 30, 2024, the forces affiliated with the SDF have maintained control over the neighborhoods.
The neighborhoods witnessed intermittent clashes in the initial hours following the entry of the Military Operations Administration, but these calmed down after the latter completed its control over the Aleppo neighborhoods.
Additionally, the areas surrounding Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud witnessed sniper operations that resulted in the deaths of civilians, particularly in the al-Layramoun area.
On March 10, the Syrian transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, signed an agreement described as “historic” with the commander of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi.
The agreement stipulated the integration of the SDF and its affiliated military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state.
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