SDF Withdraws from Aleppo as Syria and Kurdish Authorities Reach Historic Agreement
Landmark deal includes full SDF military withdrawal, prisoner exchanges, and preservation of Kurdish self-administration in Aleppo neighborhoods.
Watan-In a significant development, the second batch of fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) left the city of Aleppo on Wednesday, heading toward the city of Tell Rifaat, with plans to continue to Deir Hafer in eastern Aleppo, and eventually to Raqqa.
This is part of an agreement signed earlier this month between committees appointed by the Syrian presidency and the SDF concerning the administrative, service, and security management of the majority-Kurdish Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in northern Syria.
Aqil Hussein, a public relations officer with Aleppo’s General Security Directorate, confirmed that the second group of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters departed from the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by 60 military vehicles.
This withdrawal is part of a broader agreement concerning Aleppo, which requires the complete exit of SDF forces from the area. The first group had already left the previous week under the supervision of the Syrian Army and General Security authorities.
SDF Continues Withdrawal from Aleppo Amid Prisoner Exchange and Stability Deal
He added that around 800 SDF fighters have withdrawn in total so far, and more batches will follow. The agreement also includes the release of prisoners and detainees; the first group has already been released, with others to follow.
On April 4, the first batch of SDF fighters withdrew from Aleppo toward northeastern Syria. According to SANA, Syrian Arab Army forces reached the outskirts of SDF-controlled areas in the city to secure the convoy’s exit from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh toward the east of the Euphrates.
On April 1, a committee from the Syrian presidency and the Civil Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods reached an agreement to settle the situation in those areas of Aleppo. The agreement provides for the withdrawal of military forces from the neighborhoods to the eastern Euphrates while retaining the internal security forces (“Asayish”) to maintain order. It also allows the existing self-administration institutions to continue functioning without changes and includes the exchange of detainees between the two parties.
Last Thursday, the first prisoner exchange took place at Sheikhan Roundabout in Aleppo. SDF released 100 individuals—both civilians and military—into the custody of the Syrian Internal Security Forces. In return, the Syrian side released about 150 SDF members.
Local Leaders Hail Aleppo Deal as Historic Step Toward Stability and Autonomy
Badran Jia Kurd, an advisor to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, described the agreement via his X (formerly Twitter) account as “an important step toward enhancing stability and peaceful coexistence.”
He stated that the neighborhood councils of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud reached an agreement with the Syrian authorities to fully preserve the identity and autonomy of the neighborhoods, including their security, services, culture, and political life, in coordination with relevant local government bodies in Aleppo. Special mechanisms will be created to ensure this.
The agreement ensures that Asayish forces and their checkpoints remain in place in the neighborhoods and that their role in protecting residents is strengthened without interference from other armed groups. Additionally, the agreement calls for the full exchange of detainees between the two sides and maintains the current educational system until a comprehensive decision is made for northeastern Syria.
The Syrian government in Aleppo will bear responsibility for any threat to these neighborhoods. The agreement also guarantees residents’ freedom of movement within and outside the city without harassment.
This is the first phase of a broader plan aimed at ensuring the safe return of Afrin residents, with negotiations still ongoing.
Nuri Sheikho: Aleppo Agreement Intact Despite Rumors, Coordination Ongoing for Prisoner Exchange
On Wednesday, Nuri Sheikho, co-chair of the Kurdish neighborhood council in Aleppo, stated that coordination with government institutions continues for the completion of the prisoner exchange. He told a Kurdish media outlet that “this agreement is historic and must be upheld.”
He confirmed that daily coordination is ongoing and that prisoners would be released soon. “All parties involved in implementing the agreement are cooperative and highly coordinated. This agreement can be described as historic for the Syrian people and must be upheld.”
He clarified that no exact date has been set for the prisoner exchange, but added that there are no disputes and that once a date is determined, it will be announced immediately.
He also noted that some fear and confusion spread among residents of Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo due to rumors about the agreement being canceled. He stressed that such rumors aim to sow discord among the Syrian people.
Last Friday, the joint presidency of the Civil Council for the Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo confirmed that the first stage of the agreement included a prisoner exchange involving 146 detainees from the Autonomous Administration and 97 from the Damascus government.
