Halabja residents rally in support of Syrian Kurds after Aleppo attacks

HALABJA — Residents and officials in Halabja gathered on Monday to express support for Kurds in Syria, particularly those affected by recent attacks in Aleppo’s predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh.

Participants marched through the city center and local market, chanting slogans and carrying banners. The demonstration drew a range of citizens and representatives from various sectors.

One attendee, Benaz Osman, told 964media, “The Kurds of Rojava must know that we will never abandon them. Some of these attacks are a result of disunity.” Rojava is the Kurdish word for western Kurdistan or Syrian Kurdistan.

Another participant, Sajida Mohammed, said, “We proudly gathered today in solidarity with the Kurds of Rojava. We hope the oppression and injustice against them ends. Enough suffering for the Kurdish people.”

Participants highlighted Halabja’s history, referencing the 1988 chemical attacks by the former Iraqi regime as part of their solidarity for the plight of Syrian Kurds.

Heavy fighting broke out this week in Aleppo’s predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, with residents and Kurdish-led forces coming under assault as Syrian government forces and allied fighters advanced. The violence displaced civilians and ended with an evacuation and withdrawal deal that saw Kurdish fighters and families leave the area.

Local activists and monitors said Syrian government shelling and allied fire hit civilian homes and medical facilities in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, killing and wounding residents, and that government authorities detained hundreds of Kurds after taking control of the neighborhoods.

Located about 75 kilometers southeast of Sulaymaniyah, Halabja was the target of a brutal 1988 chemical attack by the Ba’athist regime, resulting in the deaths of 5,000 people and injuries to more than 10,000 others. The long-term effects of the attack continue to impact residents.

Thousands of people gathered Friday in Erbil to protest the attacks.Demonstrators assembled on 60 Meter Street carrying banners that read, “Rojava is not alone” and “Long live Rojava’s resistance.” Additional protests were held in Sulaymaniyah on Saturday.