Barzani condemns campaigns against Syrians in Kurdistan after Aleppo clashes
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani issued on Monday a statement addressing recent campaigns against Syrians residing in the Kurdistan Region, following violent clashes in Aleppo that left dozens dead and wounded.
In his message, Barzani expressed concern over the rise of hostile rhetoric targeting Syrian refugees and residents in the Kurdistan Region. The campaigns emerged in the aftermath of fighting in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, where confrontations between Syrian government forces and the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) resulted in casualties.
Barzani said, “In reaction to the events witnessed in Aleppo during the past few days, unfortunately, some media platforms and social media outlets launched a campaign against Arab Syrian citizens living in the Kurdistan Region.”
He stressed that such actions are “inappropriate and misplaced,” adding that they contradict the values and principles of the people of Kurdistan and run counter to the policies of the region’s institutions.
The Kurdish leader underscored that responsibility for crimes committed by certain groups cannot be shifted onto others with no connection to those acts. He called for respect toward Syrian refugees and residents who sought safety in the Kurdistan Region, urging authorities to put an end to unlawful campaigns and prevent their recurrence.
The Kurdistan Region has hosted tens of thousands of Syrians since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011, many of whom fled violence in Aleppo and other war-torn areas. Despite challenges, the region has provided relative stability and refuge for displaced families.
The statement is expected to prompt regional institutions to monitor and curb discriminatory rhetoric, ensuring that Syrian refugees remain protected within the Kurdistan Region.