AANES expresses optimism after al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – Yasser al-Suleiman, spokesperson for the Negotiation Committee of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), told North Press on Sunday that officials are optimistic about the outcomes of Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s recent visit to Washington.
“We are hopeful about the results of President al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington, during which he reaffirmed that the integration process must be completed under direct U.S. supervision,” al-Suleiman said.
Al-Suleiman noted that the AANES has consistently expressed full readiness to implement the provisions of the March 10 agreement, which outlines military, security, administrative, and civil integration within a framework of national unity. “We have never been an obstacle to implementation,” he emphasized.
He added that the AANES remains committed to all efforts that promote harmony and consensus among Syrians, protect rights and dignity, and prevent the exclusion or marginalization of any component of the population.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump received al-Sharaa at the White House. Following the meeting, al-Sharaa told The Washington Post that the most effective way to advance the agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is for U.S. forces in Syria to oversee their integration into Syrian state institutions.
The integration of the SDF into Syrian state institutions has been a central issue in post-war political negotiations. The March 10 agreement between the Syrian transitional government and the AANES outlines a phased process for merging military, security, and administrative structures to form a unified national framework.
However, implementation has faced delays due to political mistrust, competing regional interests, and differing visions for the future governance of Syria. U.S. involvement has long been viewed as a stabilizing factor, particularly given Washington’s military partnership with the SDF in the fight against ISIS.
President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s recent visit to Washington, and his call for U.S. supervision of the integration process, has renewed hopes among AANES officials that the agreement can move forward.
The AANES emphasizes that successful integration is essential for national unity, stability, and the prevention of renewed conflict across the country.
Reporting by Zana al-Ali