QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – This year’s Newroz celebrations in Syria marked a historic shift, as the Kurdish festival was officially recognized by the country’s new leadership, but festivities were overshadowed by tensions and localized violence in several areas.
Newroz, widely celebrated by Kurds as a national holiday symbolizing renewal and freedom, had long been restricted under the rule of Hafez al-Assad and Bashar al-Assad, with security forces often suppressing public gatherings.
Following political changes in Syria, Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa officially recognized Newroz as a national holiday, allowing celebrations to take place openly across the country for the first time, including in the capital, Damascus.
Officials also took part in the occasion, with local authorities in Aleppo and Afrin attending celebrations alongside Kurdish communities, while a Kurdish delegation was received at the presidential palace.
However, the celebrations were accompanied by incidents that heightened tensions, particularly in Afrin, where Kurdish civilians were attacked while returning from festivities. According to local accounts, assailants smashed vehicles, assaulted individuals, and desecrated Kurdish symbols, including the Kurdish flag.
The incidents triggered reactions in northeastern Syria, where residents in Qamishli and Hasakah staged protests in solidarity with Afrin. Demonstrators reportedly targeted government security headquarters and lowered the Syrian flag in some areas.
Tensions escalated following an incident in Kobani, where a young man lowered the Syrian flag during Newroz celebrations, an act that triggered a wave of unrest and retaliatory actions.
In response, government security forces were deployed in Afrin, while Kurdish internal security forces (Asayish) increased their presence in Qamishli, Hasakah, and Kobani to contain the situation.
Meanwhile, in parts of the southern countryside of Kobani, groups from Arab tribes reportedly blocked roads and restricted movement, further complicating the situation on the ground.
Despite these incidents, a cautious calm has largely prevailed, with calls from various sides for restraint and avoidance of escalation, amid concerns that such developments could undermine recent political understandings and fragile stability in the region.
This year’s Newroz thus reflected both a significant political milestone in Syria’s recognition of Kurdish cultural rights and the persistent challenges facing coexistence, as underlying tensions continue to surface despite official efforts to promote inclusion.