SDF begins withdrawal from Aleppo following agreement
Kurds in Damascus cautiously hopeful about Aleppo deal
UN urges Syria's new government to uphold inclusivity, minority rights
Amnesty urges Damascus to hold accountable perpetrators of 'war crime' against Alawites
Plans for rebuilding Syria's Rif Dimashq province ready: Governor
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The first convoy of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from Aleppo on Friday under the supervision of the Syrian defense ministry, Syrian state media reported.
The convoy was headed toward the eastern side of the Euphrates River, according to state-owned SANA.
The withdrawal follows an agreement with the new authorities in Damascus for SDF-affiliated internal security forces (Asayish) to remain in two predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Aleppo city - Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsood.
The forces that remain in the neighbourhoods will work in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior, according to Bedran Ciya Kurd, an advisor to the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava).
According to North Press Agency, a media outlet close to the Kurdish authorities, the forces in the convoy were from the People's Protection Units (YPG) - the backbone of the SDF - and the Kurdish Women's Protection Units (YPJ).
The SDF signed a landmark agreement with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on March 10 to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state apparatus. The agreement recognizes the Kurds as an integral part of Syria, includes a countrywide ceasefire, and stipulates the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.
This is a developing story…
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