This Week in Northern Syria [14.2025]

April 2 - 8: Initial implementation of the Sheikh Maqsoud deal, the first meeting of the new cabinet, security op in Roj camp, and more...

In case you missed it: A recent guide to the US military presence in northeastern Syria

The implementation of last week’s 14 point agreement reached between the Aleppo provincial government and local DAANES administration of the al-Sheikh Maqsoud and al-Ashrafiyah neighborhoods began on April 3rd with a prisoner swap between the two sides. The exchange took place by the Shihan roundabout at the western edge of al-Ashrafiyah neighborhood. According to various accounts the SCG side released 146 detainees (I’m told SDF fighters captured over the years in battles with the SNA/Turkey), while the SDF handed over 97 detainees. According to interviews with those released and pro-SCG media accounts the latter primarily consisted of non-combatants - including three minors - arrested on the edges of the al-Sheikh Maqsoud/al-Ashrafiyah pocket since the fall of the regime, related to the influx of Syrians previously residing in opposition areas unfamiliar with the local security situation.

The exchange corresponds with the 12th point of April 1st agreement, stating the sides will “Discuss the fate of detainees from both sides in Aleppo province and exchanging all prisoners captured after liberation.” In total the swap is supposed to include 600 detainees, exchanged in three batches.