Afrin crisis remains central in talks with Syrian government – SDC official
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – A senior official from the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) stated on Thursday that the situation in Afrin, located in northwestern Syria, remains a key issue in all negotiations with the Syrian transitional government in Damascus.
Hassan Mohammed Ali, head of the SDC’s Public Relations Office, highlighted that Article 5 of the March 10 agreement—signed between Syria’s Transitional President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi—clearly guarantees “the safe return of all displaced Syrians to their towns and villages, under the protection of the Syrian state.”
Mohammed Ali emphasized that Afrin’s displaced residents are entitled to return to their homes within this framework, reiterating that al-Sharaa himself has reaffirmed this commitment.
However, he acknowledged that the implementation of this return remains hindered by multiple challenges. “Afrin is still under Turkish occupation, and the region is dominated by undisciplined factions whose presence obstructs progress,” he explained.
He also noted that the issue cannot be resolved in isolation, as it is deeply intertwined with broader regional dynamics and the transitional government’s limited capacity to control all factions on the ground.
“Our dialogue with regional and international actors aims to highlight the reality on the ground and advocate for a political solution. Addressing the Afrin crisis remains one of our highest priorities,” Mohammed Ali stated.
The SDC official stressed that Syria cannot move forward with genuine reconstruction efforts without addressing the displacement issue. “No government can be built while its people are scattered and displaced across other areas,” he said.
Mohammed Ali also underscored the importance of transitional justice. “The people of Afrin, like all Syrians, must regain their homes and properties. The crimes committed there should be prosecuted in transitional justice courts, overseen by impartial committees under the supervision of the United Nations,” he concluded.