Protests held in Turkey for World Kobanê Solidarity Day

Political groups and civil society organizations held demonstrations in Istanbul and Tunceli to mark World Kobanê Solidarity Day on November 1. The events commemorated the 2014 resistance against ISIS attacks in Kobanê, framing the struggle as a universal symbol of peace, human rights, and solidarity.

In Istanbul, demonstrators gathered near the Syrian Consulate to demand the protection of the gains of the Rojava Revolution. Speakers emphasized the need for the political, cultural, and social status of Kurds to be recognized in Syria, specifically calling for the Kurdish language to be recognized as one of Syria’s official languages rather than just an elective subject. The group also called for the release of political prisoners, including Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ.

In Tunceli, representatives from the DEM Party and the Dersim Labor and Democracy Platform stated that defending Kobanê represents a stand against crimes against humanity and against militarism and sectarianism. They highlighted that the ongoing political and administrative integration processes in Syria must ensure the rights and identity of the Kurdish people.