SDC confirms ongoing talks with Damascus on Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) confirmed on Tuesday that discussions with the Syrian transitional government are ongoing regarding the security and administrative situation in the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh in Aleppo.
Hassan Mohammed Ali, head of the SDC’s Public Relations Office, told North Press that dialogue is progressing positively, stressing that “these talks will lead to outcomes that benefit all Syrians, and we are optimistic.”
He added that the agreement reached on April 1 concerning the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods is part of the March 10 framework agreement between Syria’s Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF Commander-in-Chief General Mazloum Abdi.
On April 1, Badran Chiya Kurd, a senior official in the AANES, announced an administrative, security, and service agreement between the Kurdish Neighborhood Council in Aleppo and the Syrian transitional government.
The agreement affirms the distinct status of the Kurdish neighborhoods, protecting their security, administrative, service, cultural, and political identity. It also outlines mechanisms for collaboration with the relevant security and service institutions in Aleppo to ensure its successful implementation.
According to Mohammed Ali, the deal represents “a step in the right direction toward resolving outstanding issues,” with the potential to serve as a Syrian model for conflict resolution.
“Reaching all the intended results and implementing every provision of the agreement will take time,” Mohammed Ali noted, citing Syria’s long history of turmoil and complex challenges.
“We could not resolve everything in one step, but we remain determined to address these issues,” he added.
The Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud host tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Afrin, who were forced to flee their homes following Turkey’s 2018 military offensive, “Operation Olive Branch,” alongside its affiliated armed factions. These neighborhoods remain under the control of the AANES and its security wing, the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish).