Thousands protested in northeast Syria’s Jazira (Cizîrê) region on Friday against Turkey’s military aggression targeting vital civilian infrastructure. These demonstrations were part of a broader wave of local and international reactions, including briefings to the Belgian Parliament by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
In Jazira’s districts of Tirbespiye (Tirbespî/Al-Qahtaniyah) and Cil Axa (Çilaxa), key figures from the Democratic Union Party vocally opposed Turkey’s actions, urging both the Damascus government and international powers to take a firm stance. In Tal Hamis, the focus was on daily Turkish attacks, especially in areas housing internally displaced persons. Tell Tamer (Til Temir) saw mass protests against Turkey’s escalated use of warplanes and drones, with local administrators condemning the global silence on these attacks.
The issue has garnered international attention too. A delegation from the AANES briefed the Belgian Parliament, eliciting concern from parliamentarian Kon Metso, who called for immediate preventative action. United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, has also expressed serious concerns, emphasising that Turkey’s actions violate international law and worsen an already unstable situation. He has called for an immediate halt to hostilities and for all parties to engage in dialogue.
Another call for action came from the collective initiative of Women Defend Rojava, Defend Kurdistan, Riseup 4 Rojava, and Make Rojava Green Again on Friday. This initiative urgently highlighted the escalated airstrikes by Turkey on North and East Syria that took place on the previous day. Despite the dire circumstances, the initiative emphasised, “The revolution in Rojava is inspiring people all over the world. Democratic Confederalism based on women’s liberation, ecology and radical democracy shows concrete solutions for the social problems of our time.” The initiative called on all solidarity groups, individuals, and organisations worldwide to take active measures against Turkey’s escalating aggression and the international complicity that allows it to continue.
Hikmet Al-Habib, co-chair of the Legislative Council in the Jazera region, and Syrian opposition figure Firas Qassas have both labelled the Turkish attacks as war crimes and stressed the need for international intervention to support the AANES project. Spokesperson Cuma Kerim of Tevgera Azadî has criticised Turkey’s destabilising actions, stating they aim to revive ISIS, and called for international protection of Rojava and Southern Kurdistan.
The Kurdistan Democratic Peace Party has also issued a strong condemnation, describing Turkey’s targeted destruction of essential infrastructure as war crimes against humanity. They have urged the international community to intervene immediately, highlighting that Turkey’s actions are calculated moves to cripple the economy and displace local communities.
