Syrian Kurdish Displaced Demand Safe Return to Their Turkish-Occupied Cities
By Kardo Roj
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Dozens of displaced residents of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) staged a protest on Monday outside the United Nations office in Qamishli, calling for their safe return to their city, which remains under the control of Turkish forces and their affiliated opposition factions.
The protest, organized by the Committee of Displaced Sere Kaniye Residents, was held under the slogan: “Safe return is a legitimate and constitutional right.” Participants carried banners urging the international community to facilitate their return under secure conditions.
A Plea for Justice
Simon Jirjis, one of the displaced protestors, expressed the frustration of those forced to flee Sere Kaniye in 2019.
“Since 2019, we have been displaced from our city. When the Assad regime fell, all Syrians felt joy, but we, the displaced, still cannot celebrate. We remain far from our city,” Jirjis told North Press.
He added, “We demand a safe return to our city, an end to the occupation, and the restoration of our homes under reliable and secure guarantees.”
Calls for International Action
Another protestor, Khadra Abdul Hadi, echoed similar sentiments, urging the international community to take action. “We demand an immediate return to our city, where we can live in peace and safety,” she said.
The protest highlights the ongoing plight of tens of thousands of displaced Syrians who fled Sere Kaniye following the Turkish military offensive in 2019.
Simon Jirjis emphasized the importance of international involvement:
“We cannot return without guarantees. The forces controlling our city must be held accountable for their actions, and there must be an end to the violence and instability that prevent us from reclaiming our homes.”
The Human Cost of Displacement
The 2019 Turkish incursion into Sere Kaniye, which was part of a broader offensive against areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), caused widespread displacement. Many residents have since been living in difficult conditions in camps or temporary accommodations, dependent on humanitarian aid.
Observers note that the protest in Qamishli underscores the enduring struggles of displaced Syrians and the challenges of achieving a peaceful resolution in contested areas.
International Response
Despite repeated calls for action, progress on ensuring the safe return of displaced residents remains limited. Advocacy groups and local authorities have urged the United Nations and other international bodies to take a more proactive role in facilitating returns and addressing the root causes of displacement.
The demonstrators called on the UN and the broader international community to not only guarantee safe passage for displaced families but also to ensure the withdrawal of forces they see as occupiers.
A Path Forward
As discussions continue between local and international actors, displaced residents like those from Sere Kaniye remain hopeful for a solution that will allow them to return to their city and rebuild their lives. However, achieving such a resolution will require significant diplomatic efforts and concrete measures to address the security and humanitarian concerns that persist in the region.
Background
In 2019, Turkish forces and allied Syrian opposition factions launched an operation in northeastern Syria, capturing Sere Kaniye and displacing hundreds of thousands of its residents. Many of the displaced sought refuge in nearby towns and cities, including Qamishli, Hasska, Amuda, Derik, and in hundreds of villages in the countrysides of Hasska and Qcalled on the international community to ensure their safe return, accountability for violations, and the restoration of their rights. Protestors at the demonstration reiterated their demand for a clear and enforceable framework that would guarantee security and dignity for all returning families.