The agreement signed on 29 January between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Transitional Government in Damascus and announced to the public on 30 January remains one of the major agenda items both regionally and internationally. Negotiations and meetings continue regarding the implementation of the agreement’s provisions, particularly on military, security, administrative, economic, educational, and IDP issues.
So far, steps have been taken concerning the redeployment of military and internal security forces under the agreement. Discussions on administrative matters are ongoing.
Two of the most significant and complex provisions in the agreement concern education and displaced persons. No visible steps have yet been taken on either issue. However, in recent days, the issue of the safe return of IDPs has come to the forefront.
According to information shared by the relevant institutions of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, the issue of displaced citizens will be addressed in the coming days, and preparations for their safe return will begin.
450,000 people await safe return
In the event that no problems arise and a joint plan is established, around 450,000 people displaced from Afrin, Shehba, Aleppo, Girê Spî (Tal Abyad), and Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ain) will be able to return to their homes. The agreement stipulates that returns must be safe and that an internal security system must be established in the areas to which citizens will return (Afrin, Shehba, Girê Spî, and Serêkaniyê).
Şêxmus Ehmed, Co-Chair of the Office for Social Affairs and Displaced Persons of the Democratic Autonomous Administration, provided information to ANHA regarding the number of displaced persons.
Afrin and Shehba
After the Turkish state and affiliated factions attacked Afrin on 20 January 2018 and occupied the city on 20 March, more than 300,000 people were forced to leave for other areas. Of these, 200,000 settled in Til Rifat, Ehrez, Ehdas, Fafîn districts, and 40 villages in Shehba. Additionally, 8,094 people were placed in Serdem Camp (904 families, 3,774 people), Berxwedan Camp (702 families, 2,772 people), Efrîn Camp (122 families, 498 people), Return Camp (145 families, 584 people), and Shehba Camp (104 families, 466 people).
Another 91,906 families settled in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods of aleppo and in the rural areas of Shehba.
When the Turkish state attacked the Shehba region on 1 December 2024, nearly 200,000 people moved to Tabqa, Raqqa, Kobanê, and Cizîr. Some others settled in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods of Aleppo.
Displaced persons were accommodated in more than 200 facilities, including schools, mosques, and sports centers, in Tabqa, Raqqa, Kobanê, and Cizîr. Many families also opened their homes to those forced to flee.
IDPs from Sheikh Maqsoud, Raqqa and Tabqa
Residents of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods of Aleppo were also forcibly displaced after armed factions affiliated with the Transitional Syrian Government attacked both areas and Benî Zêd neighborhood between 6 and 12 January 2026.
As a result, 150,000 people living in these areas were forced to move to Tabqa, Raqqa, Kobanê, and the Cizîr region. They were settled in more than 150 schools, mosques, and sports facilities in these cities.
The IDPs later faced further attacks. The Turkish state and groups affiliated with the Transitional Syrian Government attacked Deir Hafer and Tabqa on 17 January, and Raqqa on 18 January.
According to data shared by Kurdish Red Crescent Heyva Sor a Kurd, 175,000 people who moved to the Cizîr region were placed in schools, mosques, sports halls, institutions affiliated with the Democratic Autonomous Administration, and kindergartens in Qamishlo, Hesekê, Dirbêsiyê, Amûdê, Girgê Legê, Rimêlan, Tirbespiyê, Çilaxa, and Dêrik. Some others moved to Kobanê.
IDPs from Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî
On 9 October 2019, the Turkish army and affiliated groups attacked Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. The attacks continued until 16 October, and both cities were occupied. As a result, 150,000 residents were forced to leave their homes.
Families were placed in the Serêkaniyê and Waşokanî camps in the Hesekê region, as well as in Til Semîn Camp and Eyn Îsa Camp located between Raqqa and Ain Issa.
During the lattest attacks carried out on 18 January 2026, residents of Til Semîn and Eyn Îsa camps were once again forced to flee. Some moved to villages around Kobanê and Ain Issa, as well as to Kobanê city center.
Preparations for the safe return of displaced persons are reportedly ongoing. Sources indicate that, in accordance with the established plans, returns will begin in areas where security has been ensured.
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