Aleppo Agreement Marks “Historic” Recognition of Local Administration, AANES Official Says

Nouri Sheikho, Co-chair of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh Neighborhood Council in Aleppo – North Press
Nouri Sheikho, Co-chair of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh Neighborhood Council in Aleppo – North Press

By Kardo Roj

ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) –
 A senior official from the Kurdish-led administration in Aleppo described a recent agreement with the Syrian government as “historic,” marking the first formal recognition of the local civil administration in the city’s Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh.

Nouri Sheikho, co-chair of the Neighborhood Council for both areas, told North Press on Friday that the 14-point agreement concluded earlier this week has far-reaching implications for local governance, civil services, and security coordination.

“This is the first time such an agreement is signed between the civil administration in these neighborhoods and the central government in Damascus,” Sheikho said. “It reflects mutual recognition and respect for the unique character of these areas.”

The agreement, which began implementation on Thursday with a large-scale prisoner exchange, includes provisions for security cooperation, local governance autonomy, and the withdrawal of military units affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from the neighborhoods.

According to Sheikho, 136 detainees held by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) were exchanged for 97 prisoners held by the Syrian government. The process, he noted, occurred in a “stable and positive atmosphere,” signaling a shift in long-fractured relations.

On Friday, military units from the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), components of the SDF, completed their withdrawal from the neighborhoods as outlined in the agreement. Sheikho declined to specify the number of fighters involved but confirmed that the move was executed smoothly.

The agreement, reportedly brokered with guarantees from the United States and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, outlines a clear division of responsibilities: Internal Security Forces (Asayish) will maintain security within and outside the neighborhoods, while administrative affairs will be managed by Syrian government institutions in coordination with the local council.

Among the most critical aspects of the agreement is the formal acknowledgment of the neighborhoods’ distinct administrative, cultural, and political identity.

“The significance lies in the official recognition of our administrative structure and educational framework,” Sheikho emphasized. “The neighborhoods will retain their local governance systems and continue to operate with a degree of autonomy.”

The removal of internal checkpoints and military fortifications is also underway, signaling the beginning of a broader normalization process. Sheikho described this as a potential model for broader cooperation between the Syrian government and AANES-controlled territories.

“This agreement could serve as a gateway for national unity across Syria,” he said. “It demonstrates that coordination is possible when there is mutual respect.”

While no official statement has been issued by the U.S. or Coalition representatives, local officials confirmed that the agreement was concluded under international guarantees. The involvement of external actors underscores the importance of regional stability and reflects ongoing international interest in supporting locally led governance models in Syria.

Observers view the agreement as a rare instance of constructive dialogue between the Syrian government and the AANES, which continues to administer large parts of northeast Syria with the support of the U.S.-led Coalition.

According to Sheikho, further prisoner exchanges could take place in the coming days, though exact timings remain unconfirmed.

The agreement has been broadly welcomed by residents and community leaders in the affected areas, many of whom see it as a path toward lasting peace and better public services.

While challenges remain—particularly in navigating the complex relationship between Damascus and the AANES—the recent steps in Aleppo may set a precedent for future negotiations aimed at resolving Syria’s fragmented political landscape through incremental, locally driven agreements.