Practical steps to organize return of Kurds to Afrin, Aleppo, Raqqa

As part of implementing the provisions of the January 29 agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Interim Government, Mahmoud Khalil, a leader in the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), known as Siaband Afrin, accompanied by Brigadier Marwan al-Ali, Commander of the Internal Security Forces in al-Hasakah province, visited Afrin, Aleppo, and Raqqa to facilitate the return of displaced Kurds to their homes.

The visit began in the city of Afrin, where they met with Mohammed Abdul Ghani, Commander of Internal Security in Aleppo province, and Suraqa Amouri, the official in charge of Internal Security in Afrin.

Details of the Mechanism for the Return of Displaced Persons to Afrin

The participants discussed an appropriate plan for the return of displaced residents of Afrin. It was decided that the process would begin with dispatching the first convoy according to name lists submitted to the Afrin administration. These lists were provided by the Afrin Social Association and the Council of Displaced Persons of Afrin and al-Shahba, and include more than 400 families.

The departure date for the first convoy has not yet been precisely determined, but the parties confirmed their agreement on the need to organize the trip as soon as possible.

The participants stressed the necessity for settlers who moved into Afrin during the period of Turkish occupation and its affiliated factions to return to their original cities, and for homes, land, and shops to be handed back to their rightful owners.

They also noted that the Afrin administration is currently working on establishing a mechanism to ensure a safe return and the restoration of all property to local residents.

Visit to Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh Neighborhoods

The security delegation from Jazira then visited the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo, accompanied by Mohammed Abdul Ghani, Commander of Internal Security in Aleppo province. Discussions focused on mechanisms for the return of residents of the two neighborhoods to their homes. No date has yet been set for the return, but both sides agreed to hold further meetings to ensure that residents can return as soon as possible.

Return of Kurds to Raqqa

As part of the continued tour, a meeting was held in the city of Raqqa that included Brigadier Marwan al-Ali, Mahmoud Khalil, a leader in the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), and Raqqa Governor Abdul Rahman Salama.

After reviewing the security and service situation in Raqqa and its countryside, the meeting addressed the situation of Kurds and emphasized the necessity of ensuring their safe return to their homes within the broader framework of returning displaced persons to their areas.

The participants agreed to form a joint committee between the two sides to secure the safe return of Kurds to Raqqa. During the meeting, Governor Abdul Rahman Salama noted that Kurds constituted approximately 25% of the city’s population before ISIS took control, but that this percentage declined due to the group’s practices against them.

He affirmed that the return of each Kurdish family to Raqqa would take place after the formation of the joint committee responsible for organizing the process.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced persons from Afrin, al-Shahba, Sheikh Maqsoud, and Ashrafieh in Aleppo currently live in shelters including schools, mosques, kindergartens, and facilities of the Autonomous Administration in the cities of the Jazira region: Qamishlo, al-Hasakah, al-Darbasiyah, Amuda, Tirbespiye, Çil Agha, Dêrik.

On February 16, the Afrin Social Association, the Council of Displaced Persons of Afrin and al-Shahba, and the Civil Society Representation in Europe issued a joint statement in front of the Council’s building in Qamishlo regarding the safe return of displaced persons from Afrin.

Conclusion

The security tour represents a practical step toward implementing the January 29 agreement and aims to return displaced Kurds to their homes in Afrin, Aleppo, and Raqqa. The outlined plans include:

- Organized convoys based on official lists.

- Removal of settlers and restoration of property to rightful owners.

- Continued work of joint committees to ensure safe return.

- Follow-up meetings to oversee implementation.

A-H 

ANHA