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Kurdish Neighborhoods in Aleppo... Security Responsibility Remains in the Hands of Their Local Forces
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Despite not specifying a clear timeline, the agreement's terms include the withdrawal of Kurdish forces while maintaining local internal security, reflecting an attempt to achieve a delicate balance b
The Syrian presidency announced a new agreement with the Civil Council for the predominantly Kurdish areas of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh in Aleppo, less than a month after the signing of a historic agreement between President Ahmad al-Shara and Syrian Democratic Forces commander Mazloum Abdi.
The new agreement includes 14 points and is considered an extension of the previous understanding between Damascus and the "SDF," whose most prominent components are the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Women's Protection Units (YPJ).
These units have controlled the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods for years, which previously formed an area of dispute between Kurdish forces and the Syrian regime, especially during attacks launched by the armed opposition on Aleppo.
A senior Kurdish official in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria confirmed that "the agreement entered into force immediately upon signing, despite the absence of a specific timeline for implementing all its terms."
Badran Jia Kurd, a member of the Autonomous Administration's negotiating delegation with Damascus, explained that "the focus now is on establishing joint mechanisms and committees to ensure smooth implementation of the agreement."
He indicated that "the People's and Women's Protection Units will withdraw from the two areas and head to areas east of the Euphrates, while security responsibility remains in the hands of local internal security forces."
He also denied any presence of Syrian regime forces in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh under this agreement, which will remain in effect until a comprehensive agreement is reached between Damascus and the "SDF" regarding the latter's areas of influence.
Among the most prominent terms of the agreement:
Recognition of the Kurdish specificity of the two areas.
Preservation of existing civil institutions.
Release of detainees.
Facilitating movement between Kurdish areas in Aleppo and "SDF"-controlled areas in northeastern Syria.
This agreement comes at a time when differences remain between the Kurdish Autonomous Administration and the Syrian regime, where the Syrian Democratic Council (the political umbrella of the "SDF") criticized the formation of the recent Syrian government and the constitutional declaration, considering that they "do not take into account diversity in Syria."
While the current agreement is seen as a step toward reducing tension, the question remains about the parties' ability to achieve a permanent settlement that meets Kurdish demands.
