Transitional Govt imposes new restrictions on Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh

Members of the Syrian transitional government have set up checkpoints and increased patrols around the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, in front of the joint checkpoints between the Internal Security Forces and the transitional government. 

This step contradicts the recent understandings reached at the Tabqa meeting held between representatives of the General Council of the two neighborhoods and the transitional government, in the presence of representatives from the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The measures also violate several provisions of the April 1 agreement. Article (8) stipulates guaranteeing freedom of movement for residents of the two neighborhoods and prohibiting the pursuit of any individual whose hands are not stained with Syrian blood prior to the agreement.

Article (3) assigns the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces, responsibility for protecting residents of the neighborhoods and preventing any attacks against them.

According to recorded videos, these checkpoints and patrols are preventing the passage of fuel and construction materials into the neighborhoods and restricting residents’ movement.

Reports have also emerged of kidnapping cases, though their accuracy could not be confirmed at the time of publication.

It is worth noting that a military committee from the Syrian Democratic Forces received a delegation from the transitional government in the city of Tabqa on October 20, where several issues were discussed, most notably the “ongoing tensions in the vicinity of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh,” with an emphasis on peaceful solutions to maintain stability.

a.k

ANHA