Highlights 10.-22.03.26

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# ETHNIC VIOLENCE AGAINST KURDS IN AFRIN

Following Newroz celebrations, Saturday night many Kurdish people were targeted with violence on the road between Aleppo and Afrin. The attacks included beatings, burning Kurdish flags, destroying vehicles and further means to threaten. The trigger supposedly was the taking down of the Syrian national flag at the Newroz celebration in Kobane. Shortly after, the ethnically targeted violence started. There is further videos of some (partially armed) mobs and motorcades entering villages to provoke and seek out Kurds. In response, people on Heseke and Qamislo took to the streets protesting against the attacks and ethnic divisions.

# DEATHS OF SALIH MUSLIM, FORMER PYD CO-CHAIR

At age 75, PYD politician Salih Muslim, who was part of PYD executive council, succumbed to kidney failure in Erbil. 2010 to 2017 he was co-chair of PYD and is also known as 'father of the country/land'. His youngest was martyred as part of YPG in 2013 in battle against ISIS. In a large burial ceremony on March 13, he was buried in Kobane with high ranking figures of the Kurdish liberation struggle present, as well as a North and a South Kurdish delegation. Politicians Leyla Zana, Tuncer Bakırhan, highest SDF commander Mazloum Abdi gave commemoration speeches.

# NEWROZ CELEBRATIONS ALL AROUND

Public celebrations for the Kurdish, Afghani and Persian New Year Newroz are being held in all major cities. The celebrations are not just a cultural expression, but an act of resistance in the face of decades of assimilation and attacks. This year's festivities are held under the motto "Newroz of Freedom and Democratic Unity". In Amed, the unofficial Kurdish capital, hundreds of thousands gathered to celebrate. In Cizire canton (NES), many celebrations had to be postponed to 24 March due to the floods. Newroz is also being enjoyed across the diaspora, for example in Frankfurt about 50,000 people joined the festivities.

# PRISONER SWAP SYRIA AND NES

On Thursday 300 detainees arrived to Heseke where they were elaborately welcomed. They were a mixed groups of SDF fighters, Asayish and civilians, abducted and held by the STG since January. On March 10th a group of 100 was already released. According to diplomatic talks the STG had 1070 AANES/SDF detainees. STG is also in possession of bodies of fallen SDF fighters that SDF seek to reclaim. Many hundreds of people from Rojava still remain missing.

# HEAVY DESTRUCTIVE RAINS

Because of the sudden heavy downfall of the last week, many towns, roads (including the important connection road M4) and IDP camps were flooded. In some places whole houses were destroyed in the overflowing of rivers. Heseke, Zirgan and Til Temir are the most affected areas. Municipalities collaborated with internal security forces Asayis to help and evacuate residents in need.

# TURKEY BOLSTERS ARMAMENT IN FACE OF US-ISRAELI IRAN WAR

In the Kurdish region Meleti on Turkish territory, a patriot rocket defense system was set up, and generally as part of NATO measures, Turkish air defense is strengthened.
UN Report Concluding that Human Rights Abuses Persist in Syria
Various investigators informing the United Nations Human Rights Council reported on abuses including extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances and abductions.

# TWO MEMBERS OF SYRIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE TARGETED

In separate incidents in Deir-Ezzor, two Defense Ministers were targeted by unidentified gunmen, one died, one was injured. In two further incidents, unidentified gunmen attacked Internal Security Forces of the STG, injuring one while others escaped.

# SIPAN HAMO DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER OF EASTERN SYRIA

SDF senior commander Sipan Hamo accepts position as deputy defense minister of Eastern Syria after being appointed by SDF.

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Faits marquants du 10 au 22 mars 2026

Violences ethniques contre les Kurdes à Afrin
Suite aux célébrations de Newroz, samedi soir, de nombreux Kurdes ont été pris pour cible sur la route reliant Alep à Afrin. Les attaques ont inclus des passages à tabac, des drapeaux kurdes brûlés, des véhicules détruits et d'autres actes d'intimidation. L'élément déclencheur aurait été le retrait du drapeau national syrien lors des célébrations de Newroz à Kobané. Peu après, les violences à caractère ethnique ont commencé. D'autres vidéos montrent des groupes (parfois armés) et des convois de véhicules pénétrant dans des villages pour provoquer et rechercher les Kurdes. En réaction, les habitants de Heseke et de Qamislo sont descendus dans la rue pour protester contre ces attaques et les divisions ethniques.

Décès de Salih Muslim, ancien coprésident du PYD
À 75 ans, Salih Muslim, homme politique du PYD et membre du conseil exécutif du parti, est décédé d'une insuffisance rénale à Erbil. De 2010 à 2017, il a été coprésident du PYD et est également connu comme le « père de la patrie ». Son plus jeune fils est tombé en martyr au sein des YPG en 2013, lors de combats contre Daech. Le 13 mars, une grande cérémonie funéraire a eu lieu à Kobané, en présence de figures importantes de la lutte de libération kurde, ainsi que de délégations kurdes du Nord et du Sud. Les personnalités politiques Leyla Zana et Tuncer Bakırhan, ainsi que le commandant en chef des FDS, Mazloum Abdi, ont prononcé des discours commémoratifs.

Célébrations de Newroz partout
Des célébrations publiques du Nouvel An kurde, afghan et persan, Newroz, sont organisées dans toutes les grandes villes. Ces célébrations ne sont pas seulement une expression culturelle, mais aussi un acte de résistance face à des décennies d'assimilation et d'attaques. Les festivités de cette année se déroulent sous la devise « Newroz de la liberté et de l'unité démocratique ». À Amed, capitale kurde non officielle, des centaines de milliers de personnes se sont rassemblées pour célébrer Newroz. Dans le canton de Cizire (Nord-Est Syrien), de nombreuses festivités ont dû être reportées au 24 mars en raison des inondations. Newroz est également célébré au sein de la diaspora ; à Francfort, par exemple, environ 50 000 personnes ont participé aux festivités.

Échange de prisonniers : Syrie et Nord-Est Syrien
Jeudi, 300 détenus sont arrivés à Heseke où ils ont été accueillis en grande pompe. Il s’agissait de groupes mixtes de combattants des FDS, d’Asayish et de civils, enlevés et détenus par le STG depuis janvier. Le 10 mars, un groupe de 100 personnes avait déjà été libéré. ​​Selon des pourparlers diplomatiques, le STG détenait 1 070 détenus AANES/FDS. Le STG est également en possession des corps de combattants des FDS tombés au combat, que les FDS cherchent à récupérer. Plusieurs centaines de personnes originaires du Rojava sont toujours portées disparues.

Pluies torrentielles destructrices
En raison des fortes pluies soudaines de la semaine dernière, de nombreuses villes, routes (dont l'axe routier majeur M4) et camps de personnes déplacées ont été inondés. Dans certains endroits, des maisons entières ont été détruites par le débordement des rivières. Heseke, Zirgan et Til Temir sont les zones les plus touchées. Les municipalités ont collaboré avec les forces de sécurité intérieure (Asayis) pour porter secours aux sinistrés et les évacuer.

La Turquie renforce son armement face à la guerre Iran-États-Unis
Dans la région kurde de Meleti, en territoire turc, un système de défense antimissile Patriot a été installé. De manière générale, dans le cadre des mesures de l'OTAN, la défense aérienne turque est renforcée.

Rapport de l'ONU concluant à la persistance des violations des droits de l'homme en Syrie
Plusieurs enquêteurs ont informé le Conseil des droits de l'homme des Nations Unies de violations des droits de l'homme, notamment des exécutions extrajudiciaires, des actes de torture, des disparitions forcées et des enlèvements.

Deux membres du ministère syrien de la Défense pris pour cible
Lors d'incidents distincts à Deir Ezzor, deux ministres de la Défense ont été pris pour cible par des hommes armés non identifiés ; l'un est décédé, l'autre a été blessé. Dans deux autres incidents, des hommes armés non identifiés ont attaqué les Forces de sécurité intérieure du Groupe de transition syrien (STG), blessant un membre tandis que d'autres ont réussi à s'échapper.

Sipan Hamo, vice-ministre de la Défense de la Syrie orientale
Le commandant supérieur des Forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS), Sipan Hamo, a accepté le poste de vice-ministre de la Défense de la Syrie orientale après avoir été nommé par les FDS.

#Bijirojava
#alleyesonrojava
#defendrojava
#ypg
#ypj
#SDF
#AANES
#kurdistan
#Rojava
#communalisme
#riseup4rojava
#Syrie
#Basur
#Rojhilat
#Afrin
#Kobane

Highlights
02.03 - 09.03.26

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# OVER 1000 DETAINEES IN SYRIAN PRISONS

General Abdi stated he had been officially informed of 1,070 detainees in Syrian prisons, including civilians and military personnel. Intensive efforts are underway to address the issue within a specified timeline, and the return of detainees to their families is expected in the near term. He noted that several prisoners from both sides were released in recent days as part of practical steps to resolve the matter.

# 4000 AFRIN FAMILIES RETURN

The first convoy of displaced Kurdish families from Afrin is scheduled to return to their hometown on Monday as part of a coordinated plan between the Syrian transitional government and Kurdish authorities. The repeated relocations left many families living in temporary shelters for years, making the planned return to Afrin a significant step toward ending nearly eight years of displacement for thousands of Kurdish residents.

# KOBAN REJECTS THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED IN ALEPPO

The STG announced the appointment of Ibrahim Muslim as the new District Director for Kobani by the Aleppo Governorate. Political parties and forces of Kobane issued a joint statement the next day demanding the cancellation of that decision, insisting that such role should be filled by a local resident who represents all community components of Kobane.

# IRANIAN DRONES CRASHING IN SOUTHERN SYRIA

Iranian drones that are being intercepted by Israel forces are crashing in Southern Syria, in the Daraa district, few kilometers away from the Israeli occupied areas in Syria. The drones are often crashing on fields and sometime even inhabited areas.

# US DISCUSSING SUPPORT FROM IRANIAN KURDS

The CIA is reportedly discussing plans to arm Iranian Kurdish groups in an effort to encourage an uprising against the government in Iran. Donald Trump's administration has been holding talks with Iranian opposition figures and Kurdish leaders in Iraqi Kurdistan about providing military support. Allegedly Trump spoke on Tuesday with Mustafa Hijri, representative of Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), among other Kurdish representatives. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted Kurdish groups with dozens of drones following cross-border tensions in the Kurdish regions between Irak-Iran border.

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Faits marquants du 02-09/03/2026

Plus de 1 000 détenus dans les prisons syriennes
Le général Abdi a déclaré avoir été officiellement informé de la présence de 1 070 détenus dans les prisons syriennes, parmi lesquels des civils et des militaires. Des efforts importants sont déployés pour régler ce problème dans les délais impartis, et le retour des détenus auprès de leurs familles est prévu prochainement. Il a noté que plusieurs prisonniers des deux camps avaient été libérés ces derniers jours, une mesure concrète prise pour résoudre la situation.

400 familles d’Afrin rentrent chez elles
Le premier convoi de familles kurdes déplacées d’Afrin devrait rentrer dans leur ville natale lundi, conformément à un plan coordonné entre le gouvernement de transition syrien et les autorités kurdes. Les déplacements répétés ont contraint de nombreuses familles à vivre dans des abris temporaires pendant des années, faisant de ce retour prévu à Afrin une étape importante vers la fin de près de huit années de déplacement pour des milliers d’habitants kurdes.

Kobané rejette le gouverneur nommé à Alep
Le gouvernement de Kobané (STG) a annoncé la nomination d'Ibrahim Muslim au poste de directeur de district de Kobané par le gouvernorat d'Alep. Le lendemain, les partis politiques et les forces de Kobané ont publié une déclaration commune exigeant l'annulation de cette décision et insistant sur le fait que ce poste devrait être occupé par un habitant de la ville représentant toutes les composantes de la communauté de Kobané.

Des drones iraniens s'écrasent dans le sud de la Syrie
Des drones iraniens, interceptés par les forces israéliennes, s'écrasent dans le sud de la Syrie, dans le district de Daraa, à quelques kilomètres des zones occupées par Israël. Ces drones s'écrasent souvent dans des champs et parfois même dans des zones habitées.

Les États-Unis envisagent un soutien aux Kurdes iraniens
La CIA envisagerait d'armer des groupes kurdes iraniens afin d'encourager un soulèvement contre le gouvernement iranien. L'administration Trump a mené des discussions avec des figures de l'opposition iranienne et des dirigeants kurdes du Kurdistan irakien au sujet d'un soutien militaire. Selon certaines sources, Donald Trump s'est entretenu mardi avec Mustafa Hijri, représentant du Parti démocratique du Kurdistan iranien (PDKI), ainsi qu'avec d'autres représentants kurdes. Le Corps des gardiens de la révolution islamique (CGRI) a ciblé des groupes kurdes à l'aide de dizaines de drones suite aux tensions transfrontalières dans les régions kurdes situées à la frontière irako-iranienne.

#Bijirojava #alleyesonrojava #defendrojava #ypg #ypj #SDF #AANES #kurdistan #Rojava #communalisme #riseup4rojava #Syrie #Basur #Rojhilat #Afrin #Kobane

Highlights
23.02 - 01.03.26

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# SDF PRISONERS IN STG HANDS

In the last months during various attacks and skirmishes, the STG has taken an unknown number of SDF POW. While prisoner's release is supposed to be a part of the integration agreements, little headway has been made on the issue. In Qamishlo families have been protesting this, demanding information about their loved ones from STG. Often no information is know at all, not even if they are alive or dead.
There are also a number of civilians unaccounted for with no information of their status or whereabouts. Two journalists were also disappeared from Raqqa, one of them is an internationalist woman.

# CONTINUED INCREASE OF ISIS THREAD AND ATTACKS

ISIS issued a new call for jihad against the STG, calling al-Sharaa an apostate who is serving western powers. While al-Sharaa himself has his history in al-Qaeda, his pragmatism and willingness to (at least on the face) moderate his Islamist agenda has been causing frustration with more radical Islamist forces both within the STG and with other groups such as ISIS.
The monthly average of ISIS attacks is still up at 20. With prisoner transfers to Iraq, STG releasing prisoners when taking over previously SDF administered facilities, escapes from al-Hol and the general instability in the region, ISIS is taking its chances where it can to advance and disrupt.

# ILHAM AHMED AND ROJHILAT AFRIN AT EU PARLIAMENT

Ahmed and Afrin have been meeting with EU committees about the situation of the Kurdish population in NES. They emphasized the role the SDF has played against ISIS, the need for constitutional rights and the obstacles for IDP's to return to their homes. They also demanded that the EU take a more active stance as a guarantor.

# PRESSURE ON SHENGAL

Tension in Shengal has been increasing as Turkish foreign minister Hakkan Fidan has threatened operations in Shengal, Makhmur and Qandil to be carried out by the Iraqi Hashd al-Shaʿbi forces. Iraqi military presence has visibly increased in the region. Iraqi forces have been disarming Yezidi's, while effectively surrounding Shengal with the army. There are ongoing negotiations to integrate Sinjar Resistance Units (YBŞ) into the Iraqi army. YBŞ has shown openness to dialogue on the matter, though with the red-lines that forces in their areas need to remain fully Yezidi, and that they will not integrate into Hashd al-Sha'bi. The YBŞ stated that if Shengal will be attacked, they will fight back fiercely.

# IRAN WAR

The recent attacks of US and Israel on Iran will impact Syria in ways we can only speculate. As for now, Iranian missiles already landed on Syrian soil, some even killing civilians on southern Syria. Syrian aviation authorities also decided to close airspace in southern Syria, probably under requests of US. Beyond immediate consequences like that, the ongoing attacks will influence not only the fate on Iran but of the whole middle east. The imperialist aggressions of US and Israel aim for the collapse of the regime of the ayatollahs in Iran, and the regime will answer desperately in front of such an existential threat.

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#Syria #NES #SDF #DAANES #AANES #SNA #SDF #PYD #YPJ #YPG #HTS #Rojava #Kurdistan #Revolution #DefendRojava #Anarchy #Anarchism #Comrades #Internationalism #AbdullahOcalan #Öcalan #PKK #WomenLifeFreedom #TekosinaAnarsist

#Syrie : les droits des femmes, après des décennies de lutte pour l'égalité avec les hommes, sont menacés avec la disparition programmée de l’#AANES. La #LDH appelle la communauté internationale à agir pour protéger ces conquêtes sociales et garantir la sécurité des militantes, face au risque de à la répression et à l d’arbitraire.

https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/02/19/syrie-l-inquietude-des-femmes-kurdes-face-a-la-charia-du-nouveau-gouvernement_6667431_3210.html

Highlights
16 - 22.02.26

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# AL-HOL EMPTYING OUT

Last week we reported on the exodus from the ISIS foreigners section of the al-Hol camp to the point of being nearly empty. Now it seems the camp as a whole, including the Iraqi and Syrian section are emptying since security at the camp has collapsed since the takeover of STG. There is little official information on where all the people have gone. It is likely some have moved to other parts of Syria, and that some have crossed illegally into Iraq and Turkey. STG is calling it an evacuation and says they are preparing the closure of the camp.

# US WITHDRAWS FROM SYRIA

The US has been present in Syria since the 2014 coalition against ISIS. Recently they left al-Tanf and Shaddadi bases, now they are also reported to be leaving Qasrik base near Heseke. The stated reason for this is that now the Syrian government is willing and able to take over "combating terrorists within its own borders". Through al-Sharaa, they are now able to extend their influence in the region through other methods than direct military involvement. At the same time, there are also US officials who are skeptical of the STG's ability to handle security risks of ISIS. Simultaneously, there is the question if this is not simply a re-distribution of troops closer to Iran, in case of a regime change there.

# DAMASCUS STARTS PROCEDURE

Citizenship of "Unregistered" Kurds
A significant part of the Syrian Kurdish population has no citizenship or official papers. This stems from policy in 1962, during which many were stripped of citizenship and civil rights. The repercussions of this have severely limited prospects of life for many Kurds for decades. Damascus said they are now opening a bureaucratic procedure to grant this group citizenship again. There is careful optimism, with caution as to how this will work out in practice.

# RETURN OF IDPs TO AFRIN

A joint security delegation from NES and STG traveled to Afrin to assess the situation. There is a plan to start returning IDPs to their homes soon. Some families have previously traveled back on their own initiative. However some of these families have faced issues such as theft, kidnapping, torture, etc. This is the first attempt at a structured return with some security considerations.

# MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE

The attendance of Mazlum Abdi and Ilham Ahmed at the Munich Security Conference seems to have been directly facilitated by the US. Abdi and Ahmed were not part of the delegation from Damascus. There is speculation that the main reason for their presence was a diplomatic one to calm the US parliament, as part of US congress is uneasy with STG expansion and the US withdrawal, having the SDF and STG together at a high-level meeting in Munich presents a picture of successful integration.
There are no clear binding outcomes of the conference. Though the following interviews with Abdi and Ahmed respectively give an insight into their perspectives on it.

Abdi: https://www.theamargi.com/posts/the-amargi-exclusive-with-general-mazloum-abdi-did-munich-change-syrias-future

Ahmed: https://www.theamargi.com/posts/syrian-kurdish-leader-calls-for-constitutional-guarantees-to-prevent-renewed-fighting-in-syria-at-munich-security-conference

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# EVALUATION

That the clearing of al-Hawl camp leading to unclarity about all the ISIS fighters' and sympathizers' whereabouts poses a massive risk, we do not need to repeat, it should be clear by now. Otherwise, careful cautious steps are continuing on the path of integration and normalization. With the same caveats, concerns, and risks, but also possibilities continuing to unfold. That imperial powers such as the US are in the end only pursuing their own ends, need to be all too familiar and expected for us.

In lieu of further own evaluation for this particular week, we want to share a quote by writer Cihad Hammy:

"The coexistence of diverse cultures is not a fantasy but rather a sociological reality in our regions. Our regions are woven from multiple histories, memories, and identities. What prevents differences from thriving is not their nature, but rather the structures of the nation-state and ideologies that operate through the hierarchical binary of “we” and the “Other.” We should not fall into the trap of such logic; instead, we must cultivate a consciousness capable of embracing unity within diversity and recognizing our shared human community.

The Syrian tragedy has shown how fragile revolutionary ideals can be when confronted by power politics, regional rivalries and internal miscalculations. But retreating into cynicism would only confirm the narrative that pluralism was always impossible.

I refuse to accept that conclusion.
The democratic nation remains, in my view, the only viable framework for Syria and for the broader region. Not because it is perfect, but because every alternative we have tried has led to catastrophe.

The revolution did not fail because the aspiration for coexistence was misguided. It faltered because we did not protect and institutionalize those values strongly enough.
The answer is not to mock them — but to deepen them."

Here you can read the entire comment:https://www.theamargi.com/posts/ocalans-vision-of-democratic-society

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#Syria #NES #SDF #DAANES #AANES #SNA #SDF #PYD #YPJ #YPG #HTS #Rojava #Kurdistan #Revolution #DefendRojava #Anarchy #Anarchism #Comrades #Internationalism #AbdullahOcalan #Öcalan #PKK #WomenLifeFreedom #TekosinaAnarsist

Remember Omar Aziz!

On February 16th Internationalists in Rojava commemorated Syrian anarchist Omar Aziz. Work and struggle of Omar in the early years of Syrian revolution to organize neighborhood councils echo in Rojava's communes today. It continues to inspire and serve as a reminder of self-organized and egalitarian roots of Syrian revolution.

Today diverse communities across Syria - be it Christians, Druze, Alawites, Kurds or many others - face existential struggle for self-determination in the face of new Syrian nation-state imposing one flag, one nation and one language for everyone. It is incredibly relevant today to remember the struggle of such people as Omar and many women, youth and men who pursued the aim of liberation and fell martyrs in the hands of Assad regime.

The new centralized state and mercenaries in its control are determined to suffocate and take the revolutionary society of Rojava off the map.
We remember Omar Aziz and continue to stand together with peoples of Rojava in defense against authoritarian regime and in walking towards free life: Omar's dreams, hopes and aspirations live on with our struggle.

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#Syria #NES #SDF #DAANES #AANES #SNA #SDF #PYD #YPJ #YPG #HTS #Rojava #Kurdistan #Revolution #DefendRojava #Anarchy #Anarchism #Comrades #Internationalism #AbdullahOcalan #Öcalan #PKK #WomenLifeFreedom #TekosinaAnarsist

Rojava rumeta me ye !!!
Le Rojava est notre dignité

Rojava, Rojhilat e !!!
Kurditan yek welat e !!!
Le Rojava est le Rojhilat
Le Kurdistan est un (seul) pays

📅 Samedi 21/02 - 14H
📌 Toulouse - M. Jean Jaurès

Venez Nombreux·ses !
Faites tourner dans vos réseaux !!!

#Bijirojava #alleyesonrojava #defendrojava #YPG #YPJ #SDF #FDS #AANES #Kurdistan #Rojava #communalisme #riseup4rojava #Syrie #Iran #Rojhilat #Toulouse #manifestation #solidarite