Kurds rally worldwide against violence in northeast Syria

ERBIL/CALIFORNIA/BERLIN – Hundreds of citizens, activists and civil society members took to the streets of Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Sunday to protest the recent military escalation targeting Kurdish areas in northeastern Syria. Demonstrators condemned what they described as direct attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure in the Rojava region, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, highlighting an international silence they say is increasingly alarming.

Protesters gathered in central squares, particularly near the historic Erbil Citadel, carrying banners and chanting slogans demanding an immediate halt to the military operations, the protection of civilians and full respect for international humanitarian law. Calls were made for the international community and the United Nations to assume their ethical and legal responsibilities and take urgent steps to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in northeastern Syria.

“The continuation of these attacks threatens the fragile stability of the region and risks triggering new waves of displacement and worsening human suffering,” said one participant. Demonstrators stressed that international inaction effectively emboldens military actors, demanding an independent investigation into violations against civilians.

Sunday’s protest followed a series of demonstrations earlier in the week. Last Tuesday, three simultaneous sit-ins in Erbil involved hundreds of citizens, activists, and Syrian Kurds. The gatherings were held at the UN mission, the US consulate and in central city areas, reflecting a clear strategy to pressure the international community, especially the United States and the UN, to intervene and halt the ongoing military operations.

The wave of demonstrations also extended beyond Kurdistan. In Western capitals and cities, solidarity rallies were held with Syrian Kurds, demonstrating growing international concern. Activists and members of the Kurdish diaspora joined human rights organisations in Berlin, Paris, London, and California, condemning the military escalation and calling on their governments to take a firmer stance to protect civilians.

In Santiago, California, hundreds of Kurdish community members staged a solidarity rally for the Kurdish population of Western Kurdistan (Syria), protesting what they described as attacks, violations, and crimes committed by Syrian government-aligned forces.

Demonstrators praised Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani for his measured nationalist positions and efforts to shield Syrian Kurds from further risk, as well as the support and assistance provided by Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. At the same time, they urged the United States and President Donald Trump to stand with Syrian Kurds, who have suffered thousands of casualties in the fight against terrorism over recent years.

Protesters in Erbil and in Western capitals carried Kurdish flags and signs in local languages and English, calling for an immediate end to the war, the establishment of international monitoring mechanisms, and guaranteed humanitarian access to affected regions. Many rallies took place outside parliaments and government buildings to exert pressure on decision-makers.

Observers note that the simultaneous protests in Erbil and across Western cities indicate a growing transnational solidarity network with Syrian Kurds. “This issue is no longer confined to local or regional contexts; it has entered the global public arena,” said one analyst. Yet, demonstrators emphasised that protest alone is insufficient, calling for tangible measures that translate international concern into action, measures that would stop the escalation, protect civilians and open the door to sustainable political solutions to the crisis.