Government delegation heads to Afrin to end Turkey-backed faction rule
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A government delegation from Damascus is set to visit Afrin region, northwestern Syria, today, a source within Syria’s caretaker government said on Thursday.
This visit is part of preparations for the caretaker government’s takeover, aimed at ending the control of Turkish-backed armed factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA) in the area.
Preparations in Afrin are already underway to welcome the delegation, expected to arrive within hours. The source indicated that this move will initiate the gradual withdrawal of military forces and the dismantling of outposts in the region.
Syria’s Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa had previously emphasized his commitment to facilitating the return of Afrin residents who became displaced following Turkey’s 2018 invasion.
Earlier in January, the Turkish-appointed governor in Afrin had resisted handing over control to a government delegation, stating that the issue would be revisited at a later date. Notably, this delegation’s visit was scheduled to take place before al-Sharaa was appointed president in Damascus.