Talabani condemns Syrian offensive in Rojava, urges US action to protect civilians

SULAYMANIYAH — Patriotic Union of Kurdistan President Bafel Jalal Talabani on Tuesday condemned the ongoing military offensive by Syrian government forces and allied armed groups in northeastern Syria, calling the attacks “unacceptable” and urging international intervention to protect civilians.

“What is happening in Syria and Rojava is unacceptable and must stop,” Talabani said in a statement. “We utterly condemn this act of barbarism against the Kurdish people. The Kurdish people will not stay silent and look the other way.”

Talabani said the Kurdish region of Rojava had played a decisive role in the fight against the Islamic State group. “Rojava lost thousands of its sons and daughters in the fight against ISIS, defending the world at a tremendous cost. They deserve respect, dignity, and real protection,” he said.

He called on the United States to intervene. “I call on the United States and the American people to act with clarity and responsibility to protect civilians and preserve stability,” Talabani said.

The remarks come as the security landscape in northeastern Syria shifts sharply. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, long backed by the U.S.-led coalition and central to the campaign that dismantled the Islamic State’s territorial control in 2019, have faced mounting pressure amid renewed fighting and the unraveling of a ceasefire and integration agreement with Syria’s transitional government shortly after it was announced.

Kurdish leaders have warned that the offensive has displaced civilians and raised fears of demographic change and ethnic targeting in Kurdish areas.