At a historic moment when millions of Syrians celebrated the fall of the Assad Regime and breathed a sigh of relief, dangerous escalations emerged in Northern Syria. In Manbij, a city long known for its coexistence of Kurds and Arabs, violent clashes erupted as Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) factions attacked the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The assault left dozens dead, including civilians, and was marked by arrests and serious human rights violations, forcing thousands to flee, including most of the Kurdish population.
Meanwhile, 11 civilians, including 6 children, were killed while others were injured in a Turkish drone strike on al-Mastariha Village, in the town of Ain Issa, North of Raqqa. Additional casualties were reported due to Turkish shelling on villages in Abu Rasin, Northern Hasakah.
These attacks come as the United Nations and the international community urge all armed parties to show restraint and de-escalate tensions. UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, emphasised the need to maintain law and order, protect civilians, and preserve public institutions. He also called for prioritizing dialogue and national unity while respecting International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and human rights as key step to toward rebuilding Syrian society.
Amid these developments, while many celebrate a new phase of freedom, we must ask: who will stop this violence? The new Syria we dream of cannot be built on bombings, fear, and displacement. No community or minority should live in terror or face the threat of forced displacement!
We are at a critical moment requiring collective efforts to build a nation that guarantees the rights of all its people without discrimination and ends the ongoing bloodshed. This violence must stop now, and a shared vision for a just and safe Syria for all must be established. Let us all be voices for peace and justice for every Syrian!