Officials from the Syrian government and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) convened in Damascus on 1 June, Sunday, reaching a four-point agreement to implement a memorandum signed earlier in the year.
The talks, described as “constructive”, marked the first official meeting in the capital since the 10 March deal between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Damascus authorities. The agreement is seen as a framework for coordinated efforts to improve governance, support displaced populations, and advance military cooperation against the Islamic State (ISIS).
The joint statement released following the meeting confirmed the establishment of expert subcommittees to track the implementation of the March memorandum, signed by SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi and interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The four agreed points include resolving issues related to student examinations and education access, creating mechanisms to facilitate the voluntary return of displaced people, and revisiting the status of the Ashrafia and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods—two contested districts in Aleppo (Heleb) where tensions have persisted between local forces and state institutions.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to constructive dialogue and ongoing cooperation that serves the unity and sovereignty of Syria,” the statement read, adding that a follow-up meeting would take place in the near future.
The 1 June meeting builds on previous discussions held in North and East Syria in recent months. It also follows a broader tripartite dialogue that included the AANES, the Syrian Democratic Council, and the SDF. That round of talks focused on military coordination and regional stabilisation, particularly regarding the detention and prosecution of ISIS members.
The renewal of dialogue comes amid international pressure for inclusive political solutions and follows recent steps by Western governments to ease economic sanctions on Syria—a move welcomed by both parties as a contribution to reconstruction and security.
A national conference is also being planned to bring together political and social representatives from across North and East Syria to further the goals of the March agreement.
