Kurds Take to the Streets in Turkey to Support Rojava

Attacks targeting Rojava (North and East Syria) sparked widespread reactions across cities in Turkey. Following calls by democratic popular organizations, labor and democracy platforms, and political parties, crowds took to the streets in multiple cities, demanding protection for Kurds and halting the Syrian army’s attacks on Kurdish populations. 

Demonstrators emphasized that the attacks were not directed solely at Rojava, but also threatened the very possibility of regional peace. Turkish state authorities responded to the protests by blocking demonstrations, using pepper spray, beating protesters, and carrying out mass detentions.

Amed (Diyarbakir): March banned, protests spread into the streets

Responding to a call by the Democratic Institutions Platform, hundreds of people gathered in Amed to protest attacks on Rojava carried out by Syrian transitional government forces and armed groups backed by Turkey. Before the march could even begin, demonstrators were confronted by police barricades. The crowd responded to the obstruction with slogans.

Following police intervention, the protest spread into numerous streets across the city, particularly in the Rezan (Bağlar) district. Turkish security forces used teargas on several people, while many others, including members of parliament, were physically assaulted. Numerous individuals were taken into custody after being beaten by police.

Later in the evening, it was reported that young people regrouped in many streets and avenues of Amed, continuing their protests by actively setting up barricades in the streets.

Wan (Van): Municipal co-mayors and bar association president detained

In Wan, a march called by the Labor and Democracy Platform was met with a police assault before it could even begin. During the intervention, many people were injured, and approximately 100 individuals were taken into custody. Among those detained were the co-chairs of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), the co-mayors of Wan Metropolitan Municipality, Neslihan Şedal and Abdullah Zeydan, as well as the President of the Van Bar Association, Sinan Özaraz. It was reported that detainees were beaten by police while being taken into custody.

Êlih (Batman): Residents placed under siege

In Êlih, a march planned from Gülistan Street to Turgut Özal Boulevard was blocked by police. The crowd was kept under siege for an extended period. People repeatedly chanted slogans referring to resistance in Rojava.

Speaking during the blockade, Democracy and Equality Party (DEM Party) deputy Mehmet Rüştü Tiryaki stressed that the resistance in Rojava – who defeated ISIS – was not only for the Kurdish people, but for all of humanity. Journalists were deliberately kept inside the police blockade and prevented from freely reporting. Eventually, protesters broke through the cordon and carried out a march toward Gülistan Street.

Mêrdîn (Mardin): Road blockade

In the Artuklu district of Mêrdîn, hundreds of people gathered in front of the Yenişehir post office building. When their request to hold a march was rejected, the crowd blocked the road to traffic and delivered a statement at the site. Speakers underlined that the system of self-administration in Rojava was being deliberately targeted and that this was not a coincidence.

It was recalled that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), once described as “invincible”, was defeated by the Kurds. Speakers stressed that similar outcomes were now being put back into motion.

Istanbul: Police attack after statement

In Istanbul’s Sarıgazi neighborhood, police attacked the crowd as it was dispersing following a public statement. Seven people were taken into custody. 

During the speeches, speakers highlighted that the attacks aimed to sabotage a political resolution process in Syria and could also directly affect ongoing discussions around peace in Turkey.

Speaking at the protest, DEM Party Deputy Özgül Saki said: “Repelling these attacks is our struggle for an honorable life. This is a model of living together for all peoples, especially for the Kurdish people, and everyone must take ownership of it. Our resistance is our hope.”

İzmir: What is happening was war crime

The attacks targeting Rojava were also protested in İzmir. Responding to a call by the Democratic Institutions Platform, a crowd gathered in the Asarlık neighborhood of Menemen to condemn assaults on Rojava.

In a statement delivered at Asarlık Democracy Park, the speakers said that civilian residential areas and places of worship were struck during attacks on the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zayd in Aleppo. Speakers emphasized that these acts constituted war crimes. The statement also underlined that the torture and public display of the body of a woman fighter amounted to an ideological attack against the idea of jin, jiyan, azadî.

Lawyers gather in front of police headquarters

Hundreds of lawyers reacted to the detentions in Wan by marching from the Van Courthouse to the Police Headquarters. After the march ended in front of the police building, lawyers attempted to enter the premises in order to meet with their clients who were being held in custody. Police prevented the lawyers from entering the building to meet their clients.

Preparations for a march to the border

Democratic Union Party (PYD) Presidential Council Member Foza Yusuf shared a post titled “Urgent Call” on social media. In her statement, Foza Yusuf said:

“Our people in the north must flow toward Nusaybin and Suruç. Kurds are being massacred. Young people and our people in the south must also head toward Dêrik. Cross the borders. Today is the day to protect national honor.”

The Democratic Institutions Platform announced that a march will be held tomorrow at the Nisêbîn (Nusaybin)–Qamişlo (Qamishli) border. Calls for participation continue across the city through visits and meetings.

Platform member Fettah Tekin stated that they reject the massacre being directed against the Kurdish people, saying: “Massacre is being planned against our people in Rojava. We will stand by our people.”

Calls for participation in the march continue throughout the district.

The DEM Party will also hold its weekly parliamentary group meeting on January 20 in Nisêbîn.