Kurdistan Region mobilizes winter aid for Rojava as fighting displaces civilians

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government has launched a wide-ranging humanitarian response to support civilians in Rojava, northeastern Syria, as worsening security conditions and winter cold displace thousands and strain basic services.

KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani told 964media that, “based on the directive of Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, fuel will be provided to Rojava throughout the winter season.” He said the assistance will be delivered “through the Barzani Charity Foundation, which is sending the necessary fuel supplies to Rojava.”

Local initiatives have accompanied the official response. Ahmed Karim, a restaurant owner in Kalar, said he decided to donate part of his income to support civilians across the border. “We all must support our Kurdish brothers and sisters in Rojava,” he told 964media. “As long as the situation in Rojava continues, I will donate 20% of my income to the people there.” He said the pledge applies to both of his restaurant branches.

In Duhok governorate, authorities announced a five-day campaign to collect humanitarian assistance, specifying that only new supplies will be accepted. Bilal Bashuri, the governorate’s media officer, told 964media that the campaign covers the entire governorate. “On Fridays, all mosques will collect material aid for the affected people and send it to Rojava, where residents have been displaced and suffered losses,” he said. Bashuri added, “According to the governor’s decision, secondhand items will not be accepted. Anyone wishing to help should donate new supplies so the assistance is effective.”

Similar efforts are underway elsewhere. The Soran Autonomous Administration launched a three-day collection drive across its six districts, gathering food, heating fuel, clothing, blankets and mattresses. Supervisor Helgurd Sheikh Najib told 964media, “We are announcing the campaign starting today for Rojava and will work to deliver the aid within three days, because the people there are living under very difficult conditions.” He said collection points have been designated across all districts and urged citizens and donors to participate.

In Kirkuk, the Kirkuk Charity Organization, working with volunteers, announced a three-day campaign at two locations to collect aid. Volunteer Hawar Mohammed told 964media that the campaign will run through Saturday and that some volunteers plan to travel directly to Rojava to deliver assistance.

In Erbil, the governorate launched a large municipal-level campaign to collect daily necessities. Governor Omed Khoshnaw said Thursday that citizens and donors are encouraged to contribute, calling in particular for milk, baby supplies, mattresses, blankets and food items. He said the campaign will continue as long as needed.

The aid drives come as conditions in northeastern Syria deteriorate following renewed assaults by Syrian government forces and allied armed groups on Kurdish-held areas. The escalation followed the collapse of a ceasefire and integration agreement between Syria’s transitional authorities and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Kurdish officials say the fighting has displaced large numbers of civilians and disrupted access to food, fuel and shelter during winter.

The developments have also sparked widespread rallies across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and abroad. In recent days, hundreds gathered in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, Halabja and Soran in demonstrations supporting Kurds in Rojava, chanting slogans calling for unity and international protection. Protesters voiced fears of displacement, demographic change and renewed violence, while civil society groups urged continued humanitarian support and political efforts to halt the fighting.