Coordination  to remove  barriers between Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh and other neighborhoods in Aleppo began

Today, the signatories to the Aleppo Agreement—between the General Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods and representatives of the Damascus authorities—implemented Article 5 of the agreement, which stipulates the removal of barriers from public roads in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods and the rest of Aleppo's neighborhoods. The main checkpoints will remain under the supervision of the Internal Security Forces until security and stability are restored in the two neighborhoods.

Accordingly, site inspections and coordination for the opening of the first vital roads near the Shihan roundabout on the western outskirts of the Ashrafieh neighborhood began, in the presence of representatives of both the General Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods and the Damascus authorities. Initially, work will be carried out on removing the mounds at this location only.

A 14-point agreement was concluded between the General Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods and representatives of the Damascus authorities on April 1. This agreement represents an implementation step for the terms of the agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Damascus authorities.

A statement is scheduled to be made and road openings are expected within the next few hours.

The agreement between the two parties stipulates:

"Text of the agreement between the Civil Council of the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods and the committee tasked by the Presidency of the Republic with implementing the agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Based on the desire to promote coexistence, preserve civil peace, and achieve the goals of the Syrian revolution of freedom and dignity, and based on the belief that consensus among the various components of the Syrian people is the best way to confront current challenges, the following has been agreed upon:

1. The Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, inhabited by a Kurdish majority, are considered neighborhoods of Aleppo and are administratively affiliated with it. Protecting and respecting the social and cultural privacy of the residents of these two neighborhoods is essential to promoting peaceful coexistence.

2. The provisions of this interim agreement will remain in effect until the joint central committees agree on a sustainable solution.

3. The Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces, is responsible for protecting the residents of the two neighborhoods and preventing any attacks or harassment against them.

4- To preserve civil peace and the safety of civilians, armed demonstrations are prohibited in the two neighborhoods. Weapons will be restricted to the Ministry of Interior's internal security forces in the two neighborhoods.

5- Earthen barriers will be removed from public roads, while the main checkpoints will remain under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior's internal security forces until security and stability are restored in the two neighborhoods.

6- Military forces will withdraw with their weapons from the two neighborhoods to the area east of the Euphrates.

7- Two internal security centers will be established in each of the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods.

8- Freedom of movement will be guaranteed for residents of the two neighborhoods, and the prosecution of anyone who was wanted prior to the agreement and whose hands were not stained with Syrian blood is prohibited.

9. A coordination committee will be formed to facilitate movement between Aleppo city and the region of NE Syria.

10. Committees will be formed in the two neighborhoods to implement the agreement on the ground.

11. Civil institutions in the two neighborhoods will operate in coordination with other civil institutions, providing services to them without discrimination from other Aleppo neighborhoods through the two municipal branches located in the neighborhoods.

12. Prisons will be cleared by both parties in Aleppo Governorate, and all prisoners captured after liberation will be exchanged.

13. The two neighborhoods will be granted full and fair representation in the Aleppo Governorate Council.

14. Service, administrative, educational, municipal, and local council institutions in the two neighborhoods will be maintained until the joint central committees agree on a sustainable solution.

Committee representatives: 1. Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abdul Ghani 2. Mr. Masoud Battal

Co-chair of the council: Nouri Sheikho 2. Mrs. Hevin Suleiman

This agreement is a positive step toward promoting peace and security in the city of Aleppo and contributing to achieve the goals of the Syrian revolution.

Sh-S

ANHA