Syria: Kurdish return process suspended after armed attacks

The return of thousands of displaced Kurds to the Ras al-Ayn region in northeastern Syria has been suspended following attacks by armed groups. An initial group of approximately 2,500 people attempting to return to their homes was targeted in what officials described as a ‘deliberate and premeditated attack,’ resulting in multiple injuries.

The repatriation process was part of an agreement signed in January between Kurdish authorities and the de facto Syrian government to integrate autonomous institutions into the Syrian state. This agreement aimed to facilitate the return of minorities displaced during the Syrian civil war. Security officials in Hasakah province stated that movements will resume once the situation stabilizes and full protection for returning residents can be guaranteed.

The attacks have triggered protests in nearby Kurdish-majority cities such as Qamishli and Kobani. In Qamishli, demonstrators attempted to enter security force facilities, while in Kobani, residents reportedly attacked government buildings and removed the Syrian flag from a security headquarters. Mazloum Abdi, leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces, condemned the attacks on Kurdish families.