Syria
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Damascus-affiliated security officers in Aleppo on April 13, 2025. Photo: SDF-affiliated Hawar Media Agency
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Damascus-aligned forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Sunday began to jointly manage security in Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods of northern Aleppo, marking a significant step in a wider deal to integrate the Kurdish-led force into Syria's state institutions.
The coordinated effort saw the two sides begin “removing barriers and checkpoints on the streets of the two [Kurdish majority] neighborhoods” of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh, as well as “other neighborhoods across Aleppo,” according to the SDF-affiliated Hawar News Agency.
The development follows a 14-point agreement signed in early April between the Syrian leadership and the SDF.
The deal covers a prisoner swap and outlines a framework for joint security oversight in Aleppo, including in Kurdish-majority neighborhoods that were previously under the control of the People’s Protection Units (YPG).
The YPG, which represents the backbone of the SDF, has begun withdrawing from the area in accordance with the deal. Two groups of YPG fighters, 400 on April 4 and another 500 on April 9, have reportedly exited the neighborhoods.
The deal has also facilitated the exchange of 243 detainees from both sides.
Notably, the April agreement builds on a landmark deal signed in early March between Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi signed to “integrate all civil and military institutions in northeast Syria [Rojava] under the administration of the Syrian state, including border crossings, the [Qamishli International] Airport, and oil and gas fields.”
The agreement emphasizes that “the Kurdish community is indigenous to the Syrian state, which ensures this community’s right to citizenship and all of its constitutional rights.”
It further calls to implement a ceasefire across all Syrian territories and ensure the return of all displaced Syrians to their towns and villages.
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