Turkish Presence in Afrin: Changes in Kurdish Region
Pro-Turkey Syrian groups have begun to scale back their military presence in Afrin, a historically Kurdish-majority area in northern Syria that has seen turmoil since 2018. This development follows a recent agreement between new Syrian authorities and Kurdish officials, facilitating the return of displaced Kurds, including a significant number who fled Afrin during the height of conflict in 2018.
According to a Syrian defense ministry official who declined to be named, these pro-Ankara factions have actively reduced their number of checkpoints and military operations in Afrin, located in Aleppo province. The official noted that while military operatives have decreased, their presence remains a point of concern, as they may be reassigned to army posts, which have increasingly become targets for Israeli airstrikes.
Transition of Power in Northern Syria
In a significant shift following the December ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led forces, the new authorities have announced plans to dissolve all existing armed groups and incorporate them into a centralized army. This new military structure will still include the pro-Turkey factions, which have controlled key areas in northern Syria since their military intervention in early 2018 against Kurdish combatants in Afrin.
The international humanitarian situation has been dire, with the United Nations estimating that about half of Afrin’s 320,000 residents were displaced during the military operation. Allegations of human rights violations against pro-Turkey forces have surfaced from both Kurdish and various human rights organizations, drawing scrutiny to their actions and governance in the region.
Kurdish Administration’s New Agreement
Recently, the Kurdish semi-autonomous administration, which holds power over extensive regions in northern and northeastern Syria, reached a landmark agreement to integrate its civil and military institutions with those of the Syrian central government. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were instrumental in driving out the Islamic State group from its last stronghold in Syria back in 2019, with extensive support from a U.S.-led international coalition.
A Kurdish official, who preferred to remain anonymous, indicated that the people of Afrin are hopeful for the complete removal of military checkpoints and the withdrawal of pro-Turkey factions. In discussions with the Syrian government, the SDF is pressing for local community members to replace current security personnel deployed in Afrin and is advocating for the involvement of international organizations to monitor the safe return of displaced residents.
Aiming for National Unity
Syria’s new leadership is striving for a unified nation after a long period of division and civil strife that characterized the Assad presidency. Among recent developments, Kurdish fighters have begun withdrawing from two neighborhoods in Aleppo as a part of this new integration process. This aligns with their broader strategy to stabilize the region and rebuild trust among various communities.
SDF official Bedran Kurd articulated on social media that the agreement regarding Aleppo marks the first step in a larger initiative to ensure the safe return of those displaced from Afrin. As such, this agreement and its implementation represent a critical effort to mend the rifts formed by years of conflict while seeking peace and stability in the multifaceted Syrian landscape.
