AANES stresses no handover with Damascus
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – A spokesperson for the negotiating delegation of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) confirmed on Monday that there is no “handover” agreement between the AANES and the Syrian transitional government in Damascus.
Yasser Suleiman, spokesperson for the AANES delegation, told North Press that the ongoing discussions between both sides are focused on institutional integration and safeguarding the future of individuals affiliated with the AANES, not on a transfer of control.
The remarks followed a two-day meeting held in Hasakah, which brought together key figures including Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), General Mazloum Abdi, alongside representatives from civil and military institutions, tribal leaders, and various unions.
Suleiman emphasized that the dialogue centered on ensuring legal and social protections for residents of the region who have served within the framework of AANES governance.
“There is no such thing as a handover,” he said. “The March 10 agreement clearly states institutional integration—not surrender—as part of a broader goal of Syrian unity.”
While no specific outcomes were announced following the Hasakah meetings, Suleiman highlighted that a central demand raised during the discussions was the avoidance of future armed conflict between different Syrian communities and the protection of gains achieved through existing local governance structures.