On February 6, 2025, convoys from the General Security Forces arrived in the city of Afrin, touring its streets amid grand receptions and celebrations. Kurdish and revolutionary songs echoed, while flags of Kurdistan and the Syrian revolution were raised. This event marked preparations for transferring the security responsibilities of Azaz, Jarablus, Manbij, and Afrin to the Damascus government. Subsequently, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, president of the transitional phase, visited Afrin on February 15.
Afrin’s delicate situation dates back to 2018 when certain Syrian opposition factions took control, resulting in numerous complaints from residents unhappy with the city’s administration. Sherko Ahmed (a pseudonym), a local council member in Afrin, explained to Daraj: “Violations, problems, and abuses ranging from imposed levies to arbitrary arrests, kidnappings for ransom, deforestation, looting archaeological sites, and other practices have left us longing for any ruling party capable of offering relief.”
Speaking to Daraj, Ahmed Al-Hassan, head of the Kurdish National Council in Afrin, expressed aspirations for “a new, free, democratic, pluralistic, parliamentary, and federal Syria where everyone enjoys freedom and dignity, and where there is an equitable distribution of wealth and power. Therefore, the new government in Damascus must extend its authority and control across all Syrian territories and strengthen the foundations of the Syrian state through justice and equality, moving away from chaos and factionalism.”
Al-Hassan connects the broader governance of Syria with the General Security Forces’ control over all Syrian territories, saying: “Around 60 vehicles belonging to the new government’s General Security entered Afrin, carrying approximately 150 personnel from Aleppo, led by Aleppo’s Director of General Security, Mohammed Abdul Ghani. They were welcomed by a gathering of Afrin’s residents carrying Kurdish and revolutionary flags, cheering the new government in hopes of ending factionalism and transitioning towards discipline, law, and constitutional governance. They toured Afrin’s sub-districts (Rajo, Maabatli, Sheikh Al-Hadid, Jinderis…) before returning to Aleppo.”
The Kurdish council leader further shared the promises and interactions between General Security and local residents, stating: “They promised locals that they would return to Afrin, reopen their headquarters and offices, assume security control in the Afrin region, and dissolve all factions.”
According to Al-Hassan, this entry wasn’t a one-time event; “they returned the next day and visited the area’s sub-districts again, listening to people’s complaints and struggles.” He concluded, however, that “the situation on the ground remains unchanged. Factions still operate, homes and lands have not been returned to their rightful owners, and taxes and levies continue in some areas. In this context, we hope the new Syrian government will impose its authority, ensure justice for all citizens, and eliminate all injustices and abuses across Afrin and the entirety of Syria, creating a new Syria where everyone can live with freedom, dignity, stability, and peace.
“A Popular Reception, Not an Official One”
Horo Othman, a member of the Central Committee of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, told Daraj: “The arrival of the General Security was preceded by announcements on social media, prompting civilians to welcome them. The reception was popular, not official, as neither the party nor the Kurdish council received an official notification. Out of respect for the residents, the General Security personnel stepped out of their vehicles and walked among the people, visiting many Kurdish areas and villages. A significant number of residents are happy and hopeful for a new Syria post-Assad, similar to other regions, and are looking forward to liberation from groups imposing taxes, fines, and financial conditions to reclaim confiscated property.”
Horo criticized the continued arbitrary detention of locals, clarifying residents’ demands: “Some people are still detained in al-Rai and Afrin and have not been released. The local community hopes for the clearing of their prisons, similar to prisons elsewhere in Syria, and the removal of military factions and checkpoints from villages and towns. Despite their withdrawal from some areas, they remain in others, imposing taxes and fines.”
Regarding the difficulties faced by residents following the regime’s fall, Horo notes: “Challenges still exist, but the situation has changed and is no longer what it used to be. Some displaced residents have returned to their homes and towns. In certain areas, people who had moved in have left completely, allowing the original Kurdish inhabitants to fully return, or at least partially. The rest are likely to return after the winter ends.”
According to Horo, the demands of the Kurdistan Democratic Party include “the withdrawal of factions from Afrin, the restoration of normal life, commerce, economy, and education, the return of residents to their homes, allowing local councils to assume their normal roles, and activating the judiciary, courts, and justice.”
Horo also expressed surprise at the security official from the Amshat Faction who arrested 22 young men for welcoming General Security, harassed them, and demanded financial payments for their release. The following day, General Security intervened, ordering the official to release them within 24 hours from Maabatli district.
Kurdish leader Horo Othman concluded by stating: “This is comforting, but concerns remain, and it is necessary to return people’s properties to them immediately and without financial conditions. A new security official has been appointed for Afrin and Jindires districts, and properties must be returned promptly without delay or fees.”
Discussing the aftermath of the arrests due to the reception, retired teacher Hanan Sheikh told Daraj: “General Security returned with a heavily armed delegation to Maabatli district. They announced through the mosque a meeting in the village square to investigate violations by the Sultan Suleiman Shah faction, promising accountability for those responsible for arrests and assuring Kurds that their seized homes would be returned and rights violators held accountable.” Sheikho lamented the lack of tangible change, adding: “There has been no fundamental change in Afrin, particularly in Maabatli and Sheikh Hadid districts, where Sultan Suleiman Shah faction still maintains control and commits violations against Kurds, with its checkpoints continuing extortion, imposing taxes, and taking a part of people’s livelihood.”
Returning Home
Activists involved in public affairs link Afrin’s field and overall situation to Syria’s broader political and security landscape, viewing any solution for Afrin as an integral part of the comprehensive Syrian solution aimed at achieving sustainable, rather than temporary, stability.
Rahaf Alaa El-Din, displaced from Hama to Afrin, said: “We want to return to our homes and province. We thank the people of Afrin, but our homes are destroyed, and we lack resources for livelihood, stability, and work in Hama. General Security’s control would be better for all of us.”
Rahaf continued: “The local community in Afrin has mixed feelings; what they experienced was neither easy nor trivial. Some armed factions committed numerous violations, confirmed by dozens of international human rights reports. General Security should not station within military centers in towns and cities, and the local community should participate in managing and protecting the area.”
Exchanged Messages Between Al-Sharaa and Kurds in Afrin
Ahmed Al-Hassan delivered a letter on behalf of the Kurdish Council to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, highlighting key demands: “Addressing the suffering and grievances of city residents and countryside, ongoing violations despite the regime’s fall, severe deforestation, continued arbitrary detentions and financial extortion targeting Afrin returnees from Aleppo, Damascus, Lebanon, or Turkey, and imprisonment in Al-Rai, Marea, Azaz, and Hawar Kilis. Additionally, factions like Hamzat and Amshat continue imposing taxes, levies, detentions, and humiliation.”
Al-Hassan concluded his letter noting “hundreds of families have returned to their villages but cannot reclaim their homes from factions without paying exorbitant amounts, reaching thousands of dollars, for permission to enter.”
