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Turkey Refuses to Hand Over Afrin to Syrian Caretaker Government
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Turkey's Control of Local Councils in Afrin Reflects Attempts to Entrench Its Occupation Under Administrative Supervision Guise
An informed source in the Afrin Local Council told North Press Agency that the Turkish official in charge of city administration refused to transfer local council authorities to representatives of the Syrian interim caretaker government.
The source reviewed details of a delegation from the new Aleppo Governorate Council arriving in Afrin to supervise local council activities, facing a categorical rejection from the Turkish-appointed official.
The Turkish official claimed the need to discuss administrative transfer with the new Syrian authorities at a later time, confirming Afrin's continued direct Turkish control in the current phase.
The source reported the Syrian delegation immediately leaving Afrin after concluding the meeting with the Turkish official, a step reflecting deep disagreement over regional administration.
Analysts view Turkey's insistence on maintaining direct control over Afrin as contradicting principles of Syrian sovereignty and the approach towards administrative integration of occupied territories.
These developments confirm Turkey's continued policy of imposing control over occupied Syrian areas, disregarding political changes in Damascus and transitional phase requirements.
Levant-Agencies
