The General Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah Neighborhoods called on the transitional government in Syria to abide by its commitments and hold accountable the groups that violate the April 1st Agreement terms, via a statement read at al-Zeitoun Square in al-Ashrafiyah neighbourhood in Aleppo.

 

According to Hawar News Agency (ANHA) The statement was read in three languages; Kurdish by Dunya Bakr, the co-chair of the General Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah Neighborhoods; Arabic by Hevin Suleiman, the co-chair of the Council; and English by Manan Jaafar, the co-chair of the Êzidî (Yazidi) House. The statement was attended by residents of Ashrafiyah and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods, as well as members and representatives of political parties and civil society organizations.

 

The statement noted that, after the fall of the former Baath regime, there was hope that security, safety, affection, and peace would prevail in Syria, after the Syrian people had suffered from injustice, oppression, and persecution over decades. That regime committed the most horrific crimes and violations against the entire population, dispersing them, and fragmenting the country to ensure its survival and monopolization of power 

 

The statement confirmed, "Since the establishment of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as a national initiative and an urgent necessity to ensure the protection of the regions of North and East Syria and to defend all its components; Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Syriacs, and others, they have recorded the greatest epics of heroism and sacrificed their precious blood to preserve the unity of Syria's land and people. They also have thwarted all attempts and divisive schemes by lurking forces. SDF fought the terrorist organization of DAESH on behalf of the world and bravely deterred and defeated it."

 

The statement made clear, "The claims of the interim government, under instructions and directives from external parties, that SDF do not represent all the people of North and East Syria are nothing but a pathetic attempt to sow discord and fuel sectarian strife, sometimes by inciting Arab tribes and at other times by launching media attacks. The response came from those tribes that they stood side by side with SDF that comprise all segments of Syrian society, and affirmed that these forces are the sole guarantor of Syria's unity, land and people. 

 

The statement pointed out, "What some factions within the so-called Ministry of Defense are doing; cutting off roads between Aleppo and areas of North-East Syria, preventing the entry of fuel as winter approaches, besieging the neighborhood by mercenary factions, setting up earth mounds and placing military vehicles directed towards the two neighborhoods, in addition to targeting civilians are a clear violation of the agreement signed on March 10th between the General Mazloum Abdi and the head of the interim government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the April 1st Agreement. These actions bring back memories of the provocations and roadblocks carried out by the chauvinistic Baath government, after which we were pleased about building a comprehensive homeland that includes all Syrians of all segments and spectrums."

 

The residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods declared their full support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stating, "They represent us and all Syrians. They are the only force that has preserved Syrian identity and stood against division. They have also defended women's rights and gains, free from marginalization."

 

The Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods' council called on all Syrians to support SDF, "They are the sole guarantor and unifier of all the people of the country, and they are a safety valve against partition."

 

The council called on the transitional government in Syria to abide by its commitments and hold accountable those groups that block roads and target civilians. It stated, "We hold it responsible for this."