Fearing that extremists might enter the city with Syrian government forces, Kurdish residents from the Washokani and Serekaniye displacement camps — which had hosted displaced people from Ras al-Ain since 2019 — were forced to displace themselves again.
Resistance, Dignity, and Collective Response Amid this context, a video of a soldier from the Hamza division surfaced, showing the braid he had cut from a Kurdish female fighter. The attacks are primarily targeting Kurdish women fighters. Only on January 23, for the first time since the escalation of violence, UNHCR was able to enter the camp and meet with its inhabitants. For three consecutive days, forces from the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) attempted to advance without success, but the isolated Kurds had to negotiate their withdrawal, which led to the mass release of jihadists with unpredictable consequences for the entire region. This Monday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) issued a statement stating that the attacks on the Kobane and Jazira regions constitute an act of genocide. Protests were also recorded in various parts of Europe, united by a common slogan: the Kurdish people are one.
Humanitarian Crisis and Collapse of Assistance The escalation of the conflict has had a direct impact on humanitarian operations across northeast Syria. In recent hours, new bombings and clashes have been reported in the rural areas surrounding the city of Kobani, one of the main symbols of Kurdish resistance. The braid represents the feminine bond. On January 20 and 21, trucks that distribute bread and water daily were unable to enter the camp, and medical services and health referrals were also interrupted. Tension and frustration among the residents of Al-Hol have been increasing due to the disruption of basic services, security restrictions, and difficulties of access. Despite the announcement of a supposed ceasefire, attacks on Rojava continue. The Syrian Transitional Government's army took control of Al-Aqtan prison and reports the release of hundreds of jihadists, increasing the risk of a reactivation of ISIS cells in the region. This division, associated with the Syrian National Army (SNA), is trained and equipped by Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom, NATO member countries. In that same spirit, a baby girl was recently born whom her mother named Kezî, which in Kurdish means "braid." Kurdish female warriors braid their hair before each battle. However, the interior of the camp continues to be described as tense and volatile. Multiple incidents of vandalism, looting, and arson of facilities, including humanitarian offices, have been recorded. As a result of the violence that occurred on January 20, most vital humanitarian services were suspended. At this moment, Kobani is currently under siege: on one side by the Turkish border and on the other by STG forces. During that visit, many people expressed their strong desire to leave the place. Kobane is attacked precisely for what it represents: a symbol of the turning point between fascism and a democratic experience in the Middle East.
On the "Pandora's Box": Thousands of radical members of the Islamic State have been massively released by the Syrian government from Al-Aqtan prison, where Kurds had tried to resist for a week while surrounded.
In parallel, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have withdrawn from Al-Aqtan prison, located near Raqqa, where the release of detained ISIS fighters is reported. However, thanks to batteries and small power sources, they have managed to circulate images and videos that show a very high resistance morale among the population. In these recordings, large popular gatherings are observed where people dance, even in the middle of the war. In response, thousands of people marched towards the border in Bakur despite repression with tear gas, while massive mobilizations were carried out in Sulaymaniyah in Bashur. As a symbol of this response, women from across the region began to braid their hair and share their images with the slogan: "Instead of one braid, millions will grow."
