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Turkish security sources cited by a Turkish media outlet stated that the recent developments in Aleppo, where the Syrian Army has taken control of most of the Ashrafieh and Bani Zeid neighborhoods from SDF forces, represent "a positive step" for Syria's territorial integrity and the re-establishment of central authority.
"The operations conducted by the Syrian Army following the start of the clashes have brought most of the Ashrafieh and Bani Zeid neighborhoods under the control of the central government. The process continues in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood," the security sources said.
SDF elements will be transferred from Aleppo neighborhoods to areas east of the Euphrates River "in the coming hours," carrying light personal weapons, Syria's Defense Ministry announced on Friday.
The security sources said the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) is continuously conducting talks with the Syrian government and the United States to resolve the situation through peaceful means, under the instructions of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"President Erdogan, who has been following the process with all its details from the beginning, is being informed moment by moment of the developments, and every event occurring in the region is being conveyed in detail. Plannings are being made in accordance with President Erdogan's instructions," the sources said.
Necessary messages are also being conveyed to the SDF through appropriate channels, the sources added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense are in full coordination, with developments being monitored multidimensionally in the context of Türkiye's security priorities. MIT personnel on the ground are on duty 24/7, closely following developments.
The security sources said that following the recent developments, the Syrian government continues its efforts to remove SDF elements from the region.
"In this context, the Syrian administration has created a safe corridor for SDF members to withdraw to east of the Euphrates. Additionally, a unilateral ceasefire was declared as of 3 a.m. to prevent a new military escalation in residential areas," the sources said.
The sources said the clashes, which resulted from the SDF not complying with the March 10 agreement it signed with the Syrian government and acting far from reconciliation, have caused civilian casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands of people.
"The Syrian government made numerous proposals to the SDF for a long time to resolve the issue without conflict and always kept the channel of dialogue and reconciliation open. However, the SDF did not accept these proposals and was seen to be trying to buy time by following a maximalist attitude," the sources said.
The sources emphasized that the SDF's attempts to use civilian neighborhoods and people as human shields is "unacceptable."
The security sources underlined that Türkiye's primary goal is the preservation of Syria's political unity, territorial integrity, and central structure.
"Kurds in Syria are also citizens of the Syrian Republic. In this context, protecting the rights of Kurds in Syria is also among Türkiye's priorities," the sources said.
"Türkiye's main goal is to ensure lasting peace and stability in Syria and its territorial integrity. Türkiye's fundamental expectation is for the SDF to adopt an attitude that will contribute to Syria's territorial integrity, political unity, social peace, and integration," the sources added.
Türkiye has always emphasized that Syria's stability and security is equivalent to its own security and continues to maintain this stance, the sources said, noting that Türkiye has called on all parties in the region to exercise restraint and invited them to the channel of dialogue and reconciliation.
According to state-run Anadolu Agency (AA)'s defense sources on the ground, SDF members will leave the areas they occupied in Aleppo "in the coming hours." The terrorist organization members will cross to the east of the Euphrates River "with light personal weapons."
State institutions in Aleppo are also preparing to enter the Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods to provide services to the residents.
Work continues to clear explosives and mines planted by the terrorist organization in the region. Residents will be allowed to return to their homes after the explosives in the neighborhoods are cleared and roads are opened. The public was warned to comply with all instructions from the Syrian administration and not to rush to return to their homes.
Buses to transport the terrorist organization members expected to leave Aleppo began gathering at the Lairamoun Junction.
The Aleppo City Central Committee announced that 142,000 people have been evacuated to safe areas in Aleppo.
Since Jan. 6, nine Syrians have been killed and 55 people, mostly civilians, have been wounded in the SDF attacks.
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