High-level talks between a delegation from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and Syria's interim government have resulted in a crucial agreement for a permanent ceasefire, aimed at de-escalating recent violent clashes in Aleppo. The US-brokered meeting in the Syrian capital addressed a roadmap for political and military integration, including significant constitutional reforms, though no formal documents were signed.
The talks were precipitated by a recent flare-up of hostilities in Aleppo, where Damascus-aligned forces had besieged the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, leading to armed confrontations with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stationed there. According to a report from Turkish journalist Namık Durukan, a senior AANES delegation led by SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi traveled to Damascus to meet with Syria's Interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa. The discussions, which also included US Special Representative for Syria Tom Barrack, aimed to implement a previous agreement signed on March 10.
The negotiations centered on four main pillars. A key outcome was the verbal agreement to implement an "immediate and comprehensive ceasefire" in North and East Syria and Aleppo, ensuring that "all Syrians can live in a stable country." Beyond security, the delegations tackled foundational political issues. A consensus was reportedly reached on amending the Syrian constitution to guarantee the representation of all the nation's ethnic and religious components, a long-standing demand from the AANES.
The future of the SDF was another critical topic. While discussions were held on the principle of integrating the SDF and its associated Internal Security Forces, the exact mechanism remains a point of negotiation. The SDF's goal is to form part of a "regular and effective army that will protect all Syrians." According to reports in Arab media, Commander Abdi proposed a model similar to that of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, which would allow the SDF to integrate into the national military while retaining a degree of autonomy, rather than being fully dissolved.
The talks also covered the return of displaced persons and collaborative approaches to counter-terrorism, both of which were described as fundamental for achieving lasting peace. The AANES delegation extended its gratitude to both the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and France for their "essential support in this dialogue." While the US mediation has successfully averted a wider conflict for now, the path forward depends on upcoming subcommittee meetings. These are expected to intensify in the coming weeks to finalize the practical steps for implementing the March 10th agreement, marking a critical test for the future of a unified and stable Syria.