Kurds rally across Kurdistan Region as clashes resume in Syria’s Rojava

ERBIL — Large crowds of Kurds gathered late Monday night and continued into Tuesday across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in a wave of demonstrations supporting Kurds in northeastern Syria, known as Rojava, after renewed fighting followed the collapse of a ceasefire there.

In Erbil, protesters assembled for hours outside the U.S. Consulate on the Erbil–Pirmam road, with numbers swelling through the night despite freezing temperatures. Demonstrators called on Washington to intervene and protect Kurdish civilians. “No one can erase the Kurds, and no one is allowed to do so. With all our strength, we support Rojava,” a young man from Erbil told 964media. Another participant from Rojava said, “Kurds in all parts are brothers. There is no difference among them, and no one can eliminate the Kurds.” A third demonstrator said the protest was directed against “attacks by armed groups loyal to the Ahmed al-Sharaa government on the people of Rojava.”

The protests followed the rapid breakdown of a ceasefire and integration agreement announced Sunday between Syria’s transitional authorities and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The deal was meant to halt fighting, integrate Kurdish forces into the Syrian national army and transfer control of key areas and prisons to Damascus. Within hours, however, the assault resumed.

As fighting intensified, the Syrian Democratic Forces issued a statement calling on “all of our youth” to “join the ranks of the resistance,” invoking historic Kurdish resistance and signaling a wider mobilization against advancing government forces.

In Sulaymaniyah, demonstrations began overnight on 60 Meter Street and continued into Tuesday morning despite rain and snow. Protesters chanted against attacks by forces loyal to Damascus and called for international protection of Kurdish areas. Artist Shwan Atouf said, “Let us put pressure to stop this conspiracy against the Kurds of Rojava. Let every Kurd, wherever they are in Kurdistan and the diaspora, take to the streets and raise their voice.” Filmmaker and artist Hawraz Mohammadi said, “What is happening to Rojava is against humanity, art, beauty and civilians.”

In Duhok, protesters gathered outside the Turkish visa processing office, where a Turkish flag was torn from signage in protest of Ankara’s military support for Damascus. Similar demonstrations were reported in Zakho district and across Halabja governorate, where residents urged the international community not to remain silent.

Late-night rallies were also held in Koya district, where residents, including Kurds originally from Afrin, described the protests as a national stance. “Kurds from all cities are in the streets to support Rojava,” one man told 964media, saying he had not seen most of his relatives for 15 years but felt their suffering more sharply than ever. A woman at the same gathering said fears tied to instability in Rojava and threats from Islamic State had kept her family awake through the night.

By Tuesday morning, groups of young men and women in Sulaymaniyah began organizing transportation toward the Syrian border, with several buses prepared to carry volunteers. “I will return to Rojava to defend my nation,” one young man said. Another added, “It is time to stand with our Kurdish brothers, because being Kurdish is an honor.”

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