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Complete Withdrawal of Turkish Army from Afrin and Handing Over the City to the Syrian Government
The city of Afrin in northern Aleppo has witnessed significant developments following the announcement by Turkish military forces of their complete withdrawal from the area and the official handover to the General Security Forces affiliated with the Damascus government. This move comes after lengthy understandings and negotiations among the involved parties, as part of efforts to end military operations and promote stability in the region.
Afrin is considered a strategically important area, having been controlled by Turkish forces since 2018 as part of Operation Olive Branch, in an attempt to expand their influence and secure their southern borders. With recent political progress, the decision to withdraw is seen as part of measures to readjust the security landscape in the region.
During the withdrawal process, Turkish forces demonstrated a clear desire to ensure the smooth handover of the city and to stabilize the situation there, aiming to prevent any security vacuum that could be exploited by opposition factions. On their part, Syrian government officials affirmed that regaining control of Afrin reinforces the nation’s unity and sovereignty, representing a crucial step in reasserting security and control over all Syrian territory.
In official statements, the spokesperson for the Damascus government confirmed that the handover process aligns with the commitment to Syrian sovereignty, emphasizing that the government is working to restore security and stability in all areas previously controlled by opposition factions or foreign forces. He added that the government plans to implement a comprehensive reconstruction and integration plan for Afrin into the official state institutions.
On the ground, security forces have begun assuming the responsibilities of maintaining order and safety, in line with a plan to integrate the region within the central state framework. Local and international circles are closely watching for further developments that could contribute to restoring stability in the area and creating conditions for a return to normal life for its residents.
