We journey to northeastern Syria by crossing a shaky floating bridge over the Tigris River. Our minibus shakes as it navigates through Syrian oil fields, where oil rigs line the roads. This region, known as Rojava by the Kurds, has been under Kurdish control since 2012, functioning as a self-declared autonomous area amidst the civil war, protected by Kurdish-led forces. Despite Bashar al-Assad’s regime not acknowledging it and his subsequent downfall, the future of Rojava remains uncertain.
In addition to enduring a decade of civil war, the Syrian Kurds have also been engaged in a prolonged conflict with neighboring Turkey. Back in 2014, the Islamic State (IS) group advanced through the region, laying siege to the city of Kobane near the Turkish border. The militants were eventually repelled by Kurdish-led groups with the assistance of the US-led coalition. As we witness the 10-year anniversary celebrations in Kobane, we see women in their 50s vigilantly manning checkpoints armed with AK-47s, a testament to the crucial role women played in defending the city against IS.
While the victory over IS in 2019 brought some relief, the threat of conflict persists. Turkey and Turkish-backed rebel factions have launched offensives against SDF-held territories since 2016, aiming to push Kurdish forces away from the border. With the collapse of the Assad regime in 2024, a new offensive by Turkish-backed groups threatens SDF-held territories west of the Euphrates River, escalating tensions near Kobane. Locals express resilience despite the destruction caused by Turkish airstrikes, vowing to protect their city from further occupation.
As tensions mount, a Kurdish commander discreetly reveals the city’s preparations for potential sieges, highlighting the underlying uncertainty and fragility of the situation. Amidst the chaos, the people of Kobane hold onto hope and determination to safeguard their land against external threats.
“We will defeat them as well.”
Upon stepping into a local restaurant, the moment our non-local status becomes apparent, we are quickly surrounded by curious onlookers. I muster the courage to inquire about the age of an elderly man with silver hair and a cane in hand. My estimation of his age being around 80 is swiftly corrected when he replies, “I am 60,” much to my chagrin.
It is evident that the community here bears the heavy burden of war, having witnessed immense loss and violence.
The looming threat of yet another conflict hangs over them.
Recent Turkish drone and jet attacks have targeted SDF positions and supply lines in the vicinity, even striking civilians protesting in the area.
During my visit to a local hospital, I encounter one of the wounded individuals – Lea Bunse, a 28-year-old German peace activist who has dedicated over two years to volunteering at a women’s shelter in Rojava.
She shares a distressing video of an attack on a protest she participated in back in January. The footage captures two projectiles descending from the sky, striking a gathering of jubilant individuals.
The demonstration took place near the strategic Tishreen Dam, a site of ongoing conflict. The SDF reports six civilian fatalities and numerous injuries.
“There was an elderly man beside me who also got injured,” she recounts from her hospital bed.
“I suffered some blood loss… and as we were being transported in the ambulance, another drone strike occurred nearby,” she adds.
Human Rights Watch has denounced an assault on a Kurdish Red Crescent ambulance as a potential war crime committed by the Turkish-SNA coalition.
Turkey’s foreign ministry refutes accusations of targeting civilians and critical infrastructure, asserting that the SDF deliberately places civilians in harm’s way as shields, particularly around the dam, to maintain control.
Amidst these conflicts, Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, finds himself in a challenging position.
Having formerly headed the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that played a pivotal role in overthrowing Assad, Sharaa has pledged to establish an inclusive government in Damascus and called for all armed factions to disarm. Negotiations with the SDF are underway to address issues in the north-east.
However, the involvement of Kurdish factions complicates Sharaa’s relationship with Turkey, a key ally.
When Sharaa convened a national dialogue conference on Syria’s future, the Kurdish autonomous administration was notably absent, claiming they were not invited.
Speaking to me from a clandestine location near a US base in Hassakeh province, SDF commander Gen Mazloum Abdi reveals his prior meetings with Sharaa in Damascus have not yielded a resolution.
“We are still engaged in conflict with Turkey and its allies. Turkish airstrikes persist,” he remarks. “The intentions of the new government in Damascus remain unclear. While their rhetoric is positive, pressure from Turkey looms large to act against our controlled regions.”
Amidst these complexities
In a region rife with uncertainty and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the withdrawal of troops from northern Syria could potentially expose the area to the threat of a Turkish military incursion and the resurgence of the Islamic State (IS). General Abdi, a key figure in the area, estimates that there are still thousands of IS family members and fighters detained in camps and prisons under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The looming specter of a Turkish offensive has raised concerns among local forces, with Gen Abdi emphasizing the precarious situation at hand. Should Turkey decide to take military action, the SDF may be forced to redirect their troops, creating a vulnerable opening that could allow IS to orchestrate attacks on prisons and liberate its fighters.
This uncertain landscape extends to the women who played a pivotal role in the fight against IS as part of the all-female YPJ ranks. Roksana Mohamed, the 29-year-old spokesperson for the YPJ, stands surrounded by images of fallen female commanders who sacrificed their lives in the battle against extremism. Expressing concern over the lack of women’s representation in the new leadership in Damascus, Ms. Mohamed questions why women are not being considered for key roles such as defense minister.
Women in the region have long been at the forefront of various spheres, actively participating in political, social, and military endeavors. Ms. Mohamed underscores the importance of respecting women’s rights, highlighting the integral role they have played in shaping the region’s trajectory. The looming question of whether their contributions will be acknowledged and honored remains unanswered, casting a shadow of doubt over the future of the Kurdish population in Syria.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of prolonged conflict and shifting alliances, the Kurdish community finds itself at a crossroads. The prospect of stability in Syria, while promising for some, remains uncertain for the Kurds who await clarity on their role in shaping the future of the country. Will their sacrifices and contributions be recognized, or will they once again be thrust into a battle for their very existence?
The complexities of the situation in northern Syria underscore the delicate balance of power and the intricate web of alliances that have shaped the region’s tumultuous history. As global powers navigate their strategic interests, the fate of the Kurdish population hangs in the balance, poised between hope for recognition and the specter of renewed conflict. Only time will tell whether the Kurds will emerge as equal partners in a new Syria or face yet another existential struggle for their rights and autonomy.
