A delegation composed of Mehmûd Xelîl (Siyabend Efrîn), Commander of the Rojava Internal Security Forces (Asayiş), Hesekê (Hasakah) Internal Security Forces Commander Merwan El Elî, and Aleppo Internal Security Forces commanders Mihemed Ebdulxenî and Suraqa Emûrî visited Efrîn. The delegation met with the Efrîn city administration to discuss the return of those who were displaced following Turkey’s 2018 attack on Efrîn.

 

Speaking to Mezopotamya Ajansı (MA), Îbrahîm Şêxo stated that numerous human rights violations had occurred after Efrîn was occupied in 2018. “During that period, more than 300,000 people were forcibly displaced. Nearly 10,000 citizens were abducted or detained,” he said.

 

Şêxo noted that after the fall of the Assad regime in 2024, many Efrîn families, particularly from Shehba, returned to their homeland. “In this process, 2,000–3,000 people returned from Tabqa, and 200 families returned through the Shaddadi crossing. As of now, we can say that 75 percent of Efrîn’s Kurdish population has returned to their land. We continue our efforts to ensure everyone returns. Those who were forced to migrate are currently in Europe, the Kurdistan Region, Turkey, Qamishlo, Hesekê and Dêrik. Approximately 9,000 families have still not been able to return. Of these, 400 families will return soon, followed gradually by others,” he said.

 

‘THE DELEGATION’S VISIT WAS A MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE TO RETURN’

 

Emphasizing the significance of the visit by the delegation of Asayiş commanders affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Şêxo said: “After staying in Efrîn for some time, the delegation returned. According to the agreement signed between the SDF and the Damascus government, the return of the people of Efrîn, Serêkaniyê and Sheikh Maqsoud would be ensured. The delegation came to Efrîn within this framework. A meeting was held with the Efrîn administration to facilitate the people’s return. Necessary conditions for return are being provided. At the same time, this development is a message to those who want to return to Efrîn. It conveys that there will be no problems during the return process. The delegation came to Efrîn in official uniforms. This shows that they are part of the interim Damascus government.”

 

Commenting on claims that a brigade affiliated with the SDF and composed of Efrîn youth is planned to be established, Şêxo said: “When we asked the authorities about the establishment of a brigade in Efrîn, they stated that such a proposal exists. However, we do not know whether it will be implemented. We are citizens of Efrîn. Our return is based on this principle. The security of those who return is the responsibility of the Efrîn administration. We see that many conditions have changed and that the situation is better than before. Human rights violations have decreased compared to the past. All our people must return to their own lands.”

 

‘WE WILL RETURN TO THE OLIVE TREES IN OUR OWN LAND’

 

Underlining that the people of Efrîn have resisted occupation attacks against their region everywhere, Şêxo said: “Our people resisted and struggled everywhere, but the greatest resistance is for everyone to return to their own land and stand beneath their olive trees. That is the greatest honor.”

 

MA / Ömer Akın