Nicosia, Cyprus – A wave of impassioned protests swept across Cyprus this week, with members of the Kurdish diaspora and local solidarity groups converging to vehemently condemn the escalating attacks on Rojava, the de facto autonomous region in northeastern Syria. Demonstrators voiced grave concerns over alleged war crimes and implored Cypriot authorities and the international community to intervene and halt the sustained military onslaught.
The protests, which gained momentum on Wednesday evening and continued through Thursday, saw hundreds gather in Nicosia and Limassol, their voices united in outrage. Chants echoing sentiments of "Woman, life, freedom" and denouncing figures like President Erdogan and "the al-Jolani regime militias" reverberated through the city streets. Participants carried banners emblazoned with messages of solidarity for Rojava and Kurdistan, underscoring a deep-seated connection and shared struggle.
At the heart of the demonstrations lies a profound alarm regarding the intensification of violence in northern and eastern Syria. Protesters articulated that the current offensive transcends mere territorial disputes, representing a direct assault on a unique political and social paradigm. This model, they contend, is founded on principles of gender equality, grassroots democracy, and the fostering of inter-communal coexistence – ideals they fear are being systematically dismantled by the ongoing hostilities.
A delegation representing the Democratic Union Party’s (PYD) local branch in Cyprus, led by Yasin Tarbous, engaged with officials at key institutional hubs. The delegation was received at the European Union government office on Vyronos Avenue and subsequently at the House of Representatives, engaging in discussions aimed at galvanising political action. Oz Karahan, an ecologist politician, and members of the Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation party also lent their support, highlighting the cross-community nature of the solidarity movement.
The demonstrators specifically called for an end to external backing that they believe sustains the protracted conflict. Their demands extended to Cyprus, urging the nation to leverage its institutional and societal platforms to advocate for an immediate cessation of hostilities and accountability for those responsible for the violence. The protesters’ statements underscored the gravity of the situation, with one declaration read by a member of the Kurdish community stating, "What is happening in northern and eastern Syria is an attack on freedom, women’s achievements and the will of people to live democratically."
The unrest in Rojava has been attributed to a complex web of actors, with the Syrian Transitional Government, under the leadership of President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa (widely known by his nom de guerre, Jolani), and Turkish-backed factions being central to the offensive. The international community's response, or perceived lack thereof, has been a focal point of criticism from the protesting groups, who are demanding a more robust stance against what they characterise as egregious violations of international law. The rallies in Cyprus serve as a potent reminder of the ongoing human cost of the conflict and the persistent calls for justice and self-determination emanating from the region.