Turkish police detain 50 protesting jihadist attacks in Syria

Duvar English

The Turkish police on Dec. 2 attacked the protest of Istanbul Labor, Peace and Democracy Forces that gathered against the attacks of jihadist groups affiliated to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Free Syrian Army on Aleppo, spreading to Hama and the Kurdish settlement of Shahba.

Even though the group gathered at the Beyoğlu district’s Şişhane neighborhood, the press statement was banned by the Istanbul Governor at the last minute.

According to the Mesopotamia Agency (MA), the police first encircled the crowd and detained at least 50 protestors while the group chanted, “Long live Rojava!”

Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan announced on her social media account that their provincial co-chairs of Istanbul were also detained.

“Those who fear anti-war gatherings, statements, democratic reactions, and objections should know that our voices will grow louder and stronger to defend the values of humanity,” she said.

What happened?

The rebels launched their surprise offensive on Nov. 26, attacking from areas to the north and northwest of Aleppo. They swept into the city on Nov. 29-30, forcing out government forces.

It is the first time control of the city has shifted since 2016, when government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, defeated rebels who had controlled Aleppo's eastern districts.

The attack was initiated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Formerly known as the Nusra Front, it was al Qaeda's official wing in the Syrian war until breaking ties in 2016.

HTS, led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has long been the dominant force in the Idlib region, part of an arc of the northwest where rebels maintained a foothold despite Assad's gains elsewhere.

The United States and Russia, Turkey and other states designate it a terrorist group.

Another rebel alliance has launched a separate offensive from areas north of Aleppo. These rebels are backed by Turkey and organized under the banner of the Syrian National Army.

A deal between Russia and Turkey had broadly stabilized the situation in the northwest since 2020. But Turkey has expressed growing frustration with Assad's failure to reach a deal with the opposition to end the conflict.

Turkish security officials have said while Ankara was working to stop rebel offensives, they were increasingly concerned about attacks by Syrian government forces on the rebels. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Assad and the rebels needed to compromise.

One of Turkey's main concerns in Syria is the power held by the Kurdish-led groups which are allied to Washington but deemed terrorists by Ankara. Turkey's state-owned Anadolu Agency said the rebel Syrian National Army had taken the town of Tel Rifaat from the Kurdish YPG militia.

Both the Kremlin and Tehran have reiterated their support for the Syrian government.