The attack to which the convoy of Kurdish returnees to the city of Tal Abyad was subjected, alongside the burning of their means of transportation and vehicles at the hands of individuals from among the Arab newcomers to the city—according to circulated information during the period of Turkish occupation of the region in 2019—raises a set of serious questions regarding the reality of coexistence between the Kurdish and Arab components and the extent of respect for the fundamental rights of civilians, particularly their right to a safe return to their homes and properties.
What took place cannot be viewed as a passing incident or a limited dispute; rather, it should be addressed as an issue that touches upon civil peace and threatens trust among components that have historically lived in adjacent geographic areas, bound by social, economic, and human ties. When the return of civilians to their cities and villages turns into an occasion for attack, intimidation, and the burning of their properties, this represents a violation of a fundamental principle of human rights, which is the right of a human being to return to their home and live in it in safety and dignity, away from national discrimination or collective revenge.
It is regrettable that feelings of rancor and hatred are renewed between adjacent components whenever surrounding areas witness a political or security event or development, instead of such circumstances being a motive to promote solidarity, understanding, and adherence to the values of co-existence. Political problems and military conflicts should not turn into a justification for targeting civilians or holding an entire social component responsible for the actions of specific individuals or entities. Furthermore, defending the rights of the Kurdish component does not conflict with respecting the rights of the Arab component and all other components; rather, safeguarding rights and freedoms on the basis of equality is the true gateway to building a stable and just society.
Based on this principle, we emphasize that burning the vehicles of Kurdish returnees and attacking their property is a morally and legally condemned act that contradicts the fundamental principles of human rights and the legal rules that protect civilians and their property. National affiliation must not be a reason for deprivation of rights, nor should returning to one’s homeland become an occasion for humiliation, intimidation, or revenge. Human dignity and rights are not subject to compromise, nor may they be subjected to political positions or narrow national calculations.
Accordingly, we hold the responsible and concerned authorities accountable to work toward revealing the circumstances of what happened in Tal Abyad, identifying those responsible for the attacks, ensuring they are held accountable according to the law, compensating those affected for the losses they incurred, and taking the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such violations. We also emphasize that the Syrian authorities bear the responsibility to protect citizens’ rights, ensure their security and safety, safeguard their properties, and provide the necessary conditions for the safe and dignified return of displaced and forcibly displaced persons to their areas, without discrimination or threat.
In the same context, a clear responsibility falls upon political, administrative, and security authorities, alongside social, cultural, religious, and media figures, to confront inflammatory discourses and slogans that fuel hatred and sow the seeds of strife between the Kurdish and Arab components. Silence in the face of incitement or leniency toward discriminatory practices does not contribute to resolving crises; rather, it creates the conditions for their repetition and deepens divisions for which innocent civilians pay the price.
The future of Syria cannot be built on the logic of exclusion or revenge, nor on the denial of the rights of any of its components, but rather on mutual recognition of rights, equality before the law, respect for national and cultural diversity, and the consolidation of the principle of equal citizenship. Kurds, Arabs, and all other components are not enemies by virtue of their identity, and their political differences should not turn into permanent social conflicts; rather, the responsibility of everyone requires protecting human bonds and confronting anyone who seeks to exploit differences to ignite strife.
What happened in Tal Abyad calls for a clear and responsible stance (protecting civilians, holding aggressors accountable, ensuring justice for those affected, and rejecting all forms of incitement and hatred). True reconciliation is not achieved by ignoring violations or obliterating facts, but rather by recognizing rights, achieving justice, and ensuring that attacks are not repeated. Only just law, mutual respect, and a sincere will for coexistence are capable of turning pain into an opportunity to restore trust, protect civil peace, and build a future that accommodates all Syrians without discrimination or exclusion.
27 / 10 / 2026
Note: This text is translated from the original Arabic version… Read the Arabic version:Click here
