Kobane, Syria – A decade after repelling the Islamic State (IS), Kurdish-led forces in north-east Syria now face a new battle for survival.
With Turkey ramping up military offensives and Syria’s new leadership under pressure from Ankara, the Kurds remain uncertain about their future in a post-Assad era.
In January, residents of Kobane marked the 10-year anniversary of the historic victory over IS. The city, once under siege, still bears the scars of war, with destroyed buildings and posters of fallen fighters lining the streets.
Despite the festive mood in the main square, grief remains ever-present for families who lost loved ones in the battle.
“It is a joyful day, but also a painful one. I wish my brother were here to see it,” said Newrouz Ahmad, a 45-year-old mother of four whose brother died during the IS siege.
However, the hard-fought freedom from IS has not brought peace. Since 2016, Turkey and its proxies in the Syrian National Army (SNA) have conducted several military incursions into Kurdish-controlled areas, capturing territory along the border.
Turkey considers the People’s Protection Units (YPG), the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara designates as a terrorist group.
As the Assad regime collapsed in late 2024, Turkish-backed forces launched a fresh offensive west of the Euphrates.
Turkish airstrikes have targeted key infrastructure in SDF-controlled areas, including power stations and communication networks. In Kobane, locals say they live in constant fear of renewed conflict.
“We won’t allow Turkey and its proxies to occupy our city. We defeated IS, and we will defeat them too,” Ahmad asserted.
Civilians have also been caught in the crossfire. Reports have emerged of Turkish drones striking protestors near the Tishreen Dam, killing six and injuring dozens more.
Among the wounded was Lea Bunse, a 28-year-old German peace activist who was volunteering at a women’s shelter in Rojava.
“I lost some blood, and when we got into the ambulance, another drone attack was carried out right next to us,” she recounted from her hospital bed.
Human Rights Watch condemned an attack on a Kurdish Red Crescent ambulance as a potential war crime, but Turkey denies targeting civilians, accusing the SDF of using them as human shields.
Meanwhile, Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, faces a dilemma. His Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led the rebel offensive that toppled Assad, but now he must balance diplomatic relations with Turkey while addressing Kurdish autonomy.
The Kurdish autonomous administration was notably absent from a recent national dialogue conference in Damascus, further fueling uncertainty.
SDF commander Gen. Mazloum Abdi confirmed ongoing talks with Sharaa’s government but noted that no agreement had been reached. “The US, France, and some Arab nations are pushing Damascus to recognize Kurdish rights, but Turkey is pressuring them to act against us,” he said.
With US troops still stationed in Kurdish-held regions to counter IS sleeper cells, fears of an American withdrawal loom. The Kurds warn that without military backing, IS prisoners—numbering around 10,000—could escape, reigniting a resurgence of the terrorist group.
As negotiations continue, the Kurdish women’s militia, the YPJ, demands guarantees for women’s rights. “We fought for our rights here. If they are not respected, how can we be expected to lay down our arms?” questioned YPJ spokesperson Roksana Mohamed.
For the Kurds, the coming months could define their fate. Will they secure recognition in a new Syria, or will they be forced into yet another existential struggle?
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members