Pro-Turkey Syrian groups have begun reducing their military presence in Afrin, a historically Kurdish-majority area situated in northern Syria, which they have controlled since an offensive in 2018. This change comes in the wake of a recent agreement between the newly established Syrian authorities and Kurdish officials that aims to facilitate the return of displaced Kurdish individuals, many of whom fled the Afrin region during the 2018 conflict.
According to a Syrian defense ministry official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the pro-Ankara groups have decreased their military presence and checkpoints in the Afrin area, although they remain stationed in the region for the time being. The official stated that there are plans to transfer these forces to army posts; however, these locations have frequently been targeted by Israeli airstrikes.
Following the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, the new authorities in Syria announced a disbanding of all armed groups, which includes the pro-Turkey factions that have maintained significant control over parts of northern Syria. The offensive carried out by Turkish forces and their Syrian allies, which took place from January to March 2018, primarily aimed at displacing Kurdish fighters from Afrin. During this offensive, the United Nations estimated that approximately half of Afrin’s 320,000 residents fled their homes due to the violence.
The pro-Turkey groups have been accused by Kurds and various rights organizations of committing human rights violations in the area. In a related development last month, the Kurdish semi-autonomous administration, which governs parts of northern and northeastern Syria, entered into an agreement to integrate its civil and military institutions with those of the central government. The force in question, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), was pivotal in the recapture of the last territory held by the Islamic State group in Syria in 2019, with support from a U.S.-led international coalition.
A source familiar with the issue, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic, indicated that residents of Afrin are awaiting the removal of all checkpoints and the exit of pro-Turkey factions from the area. Furthermore, the SDF is advocating for security personnel stationed in Afrin to be sourced from the local population. They are also calling on international organizations and allied countries from the coalition to oversee the safe return of displaced individuals.
As part of the broader unification efforts following Assad’s overthrow, this month Kurdish fighters have begun withdrawing from two neighborhoods in Aleppo, aligning with the terms of the agreement. Bedran Kurd, a Syrian Kurdish official, announced on social media platform X that the agreement pertaining to Aleppo represents the initial phase of a larger plan aimed at ensuring the safe return of displaced individuals from Afrin. This development marks a significant step in the evolving dynamics of control and governance in northern Syria amidst the ongoing repercussions of a protracted civil conflict.
