An official from the Kurdish National Council in Syria (ENKS) confirmed that discussions with Syrian transitional leader Ahmed al-Sharaa focused on armed group violations and the release of Kurdish prisoners during a meeting held in Afrin on Saturday.

Al-Sharaa, who is overseeing Syria’s transitional phase, visited Afrin as part of a broader tour across Aleppo and Idlib provinces. While in the city, he met with Ahmed Hassan, head of the Afrin branch of ENKS, along with local civilians and activists, to address human rights violations and other critical concerns.

Following the meeting, the Afrin branch of ENKS released an official statement highlighting the key points raised during the discussions. “Ahmed Hassan presented a speech in the meeting about the oppression and violations of armed groups against the Kurds of Afrin and other civilians and called on al-Sharaa to put an end to the violations and solve their problems,” the statement read.

Concerns Over Armed Group Activities

Hassan outlined several pressing issues, including:

• Seizure of Kurdish property by armed groups.
• Arrest of displaced persons attempting to return to Afrin.
• Unlawful taxation imposed on local residents.
• Deforestation and environmental destruction caused by armed factions.
• Detention of Kurdish prisoners across Afrin, Mari, Azaz, and Hiwa Kilis.

Hassan urged al-Sharaa to expand the transitional government’s authority to remove armed factions from Afrin and establish justice, equality, and the rule of law in the region.

Al-Sharaa’s Commitment to Addressing Violations

According to Kurdistan 24, al-Sharaa assured civilians during the meeting that he would work towards addressing their grievances and reclaiming property seized by armed factions. His visit to Afrin marks his first official trip to a Kurdish city since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government.

Political Significance of the Visit

Political analysts view al-Sharaa’s visit to Afrin as a significant diplomatic move toward engaging with the Kurds of Rojava. His outreach to Kurdish communities could signal a shift in the Syrian transitional government’s approach to ethnic and regional disputes.

As Syria navigates its transition, Kurds in Afrin continue to demand greater security and justice amid ongoing instability. Whether al-Sharaa’s promises will translate into tangible changes remains to be seen.