Qamishlo_Families of fighters held captive by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham jihadists staged a mass protest in the city of Qamishlo on Wednesday, 25 February, calling for information on the fate of their sons and for their immediate release.

These popular mobilisations come amid escalating military tensions in recent weeks, accompanied by a series of abductions targeting a number of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters.

Women and relatives of the captives raised photographs of their sons and banners urging international intervention. The crowds marched toward the United Nations building in the city, where an official statement was delivered outlining the families’ demands and calling for urgent action to halt the violations.

The protests follow an agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Interim Government that led to the withdrawal of SDF fighters from the western Euphrates countryside toward the borders of Rojava. However, this withdrawal opened the way for surprise attacks by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham jihadists on positions of the People’s and Women’s Protection Units, resulting in deaths and the abduction of several fighters since 6 December.

During the gathering, Youssef Kouti delivered a speech on behalf of the families of the captured fighters, stating that the attacks on the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighbourhoods in Aleppo — in which Turkish-backed mercenaries took part — left dozens of civilians and fighters dead.

He added that the agreement, which was supposed to guarantee a safe withdrawal from Deir Hafer and Maskanah, turned into a “treacherous ambush” that led to the capture of several fighters and the killing of others.

Kouti stressed that the aim of these attacks and abductions is “to break the will of the Kurdish people,” but that families and fighters “have stood united in defence of the land and the homeland.” He affirmed that the protests will continue until all captives are released, saying: “We will continue to protect our homeland and the achievements of our revolution until the end, and we will remain in the streets until our sons are freed.”

This demonstration reflects the growing concern among families in the absence of accurate information about the fate of the abducted fighters, amid increasing calls for international organisations to intervene and exert pressure to reveal their whereabouts and ensure their safety.