Civil Activists in Sulaymaniyah Launch Fundraising Campaign for Displaced Kurds in Syria

Peregraf

Civil activists in Sulaymaniyah have launched a fundraising campaign to support of displaced Kurdish families in Syria, who have been severely affected by recent military operations in the region.

At a press conference, the campaign organizers called for widespread participation, urging individuals to contribute both financially and morally. The initiative aims to alleviate the suffering of displaced families and provide essential aid.

Former Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin stressed the importance of solidarity, saying, “The campaign is to help the Kurds of West Kurdistan in their difficult situation, and it is the duty of every Kurd to support them during this challenging time.” Former Judge Sheikh Latif echoed this sentiment, emphasizing, “We hope everyone sees this as their cause and contributes to the relief effort. This has happened to us before, and it will happen again—this is what being Kurdish means.”

The activists also drew attention to the closure of the Faysh Khabur border crossing, the only route between the Kurdistan Region and Syria. They called on the regional government to reopen the crossing to facilitate the delivery of aid to the affected areas.

Escalating Tensions in Northeast Syria

The situation in northeast Syria remains volatile. Following the collapse of the Assad regime, the region is caught between hope and chaos. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by the United States, control significant parts of the region but are facing intensified attacks from Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) militants. Clashes in key areas like Manbij and Tal Rifaat have displaced thousands of civilians.

Turkey considers the SDF and its primary fighting force, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), to be affiliates of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara designates as a terrorist organization. However, the SDF maintains its independence from the PKK.

The recent violence follows Turkey’s threats to target the symbolic Kurdish city of Kobani. In response, the SDF has proposed establishing a demilitarized zone in Kobani under U.S. supervision. SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi described the proposal as a balanced approach to address Turkey’s security concerns while ensuring Kurdish safety and regional stability.

The fundraising campaign in Sulaymaniyah highlights the urgent need for international and regional efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and support the displaced Kurdish communities in Syria.