Protests erupted last Friday across Raqqa and Hassakeh, calling for the full restoration of Syrian state authority over Hassakeh province. The demonstrations set off a series of rapid local developments, including tribal mobilization in the Al‑Aziziyah neighborhood and official statements stressing the urgent need to regulate weapons. The unrest unfolded amid a wave of mutual accusations and competing narratives on social media between supporters of the Syrian government and sympathizers of the dissolved Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
To assess the evolving situation, Zaman al‑Wasl surveyed Arab and Kurdish politicians and journalists from the region. The outlet also relayed pressing questions from Hassakeh residents to Syrian authorities, who responded promptly through official representatives in the province.
Popular Discontent and Calls for Civilian Protection
Ibrahim Haj Halabi, a journalist from Hassakeh, described the atmosphere as charged with public frustration following demonstrations demanding the return of Syrian state institutions. Protesters raised the Syrian national flag in Freedom Square—formerly Peace Square—which had been under SDF control.
Halabi said the demonstrations were met with heightened security alerts from forces formerly affiliated with the SDF, which he described as carrying ideological ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). These reactions included an expanded network of checkpoints and harassment of residents across Hassakeh, Qamishli and nearby villages, further inflaming tensions.
He added that SDF‑affiliated media platforms launched online campaigns containing incitement, hate speech and attempts to discredit protesters, reportedly using outdated images and artificial intelligence tools.
Residents, Halabi noted, are sending clear messages to the Syrian government to fulfill its legal duty to protect civilians and respond seriously to their demands. Several arrests were reported during the protests, though detainees were later released following media pressure.
On weapons regulation, Halabi pointed to a statement issued by the Internal Security Directorate in Hassakeh restricting firearms to state authorities. He cited an incident in Al‑Aziziyah where residents intercepted an unplated vehicle carrying armed individuals and handed them over to internal security forces. In another case in the Ghweran neighborhood, members of the Revolutionary Youth allegedly detained and tortured a resident accused of participating in Friday’s “Syrian Flag Friday” demonstrations before releasing him.
Halabi warned that responsibility now rests squarely with the Syrian government as anger spreads across Hassakeh and its countryside. He cautioned that protests may expand to Qamishli and other areas, predicting potential escalations such as sit‑ins outside the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs in Damascus to demand the release of detainees and information on individuals allegedly deported to Iraq.
State Authority, Not Anti‑Kurdish Sentiment
Ammar al‑Hamad, an engineer and political figure from Raqqa, offered a political reading of Friday’s demonstrations, saying the protests conveyed three distinct messages: one to Hassakeh’s residents, one to the Syrian government and one to the broader Kurdish population.
He said the first message expressed solidarity with the legitimate demands of Hassakeh’s residents. The second reassured the Syrian government of public support for state integration, provided it prevents bloodshed and firmly re‑establishes state authority.
Addressing the Kurdish community, al‑Hamad emphasized that all components of Syrian society share one nation and common aspirations. He stressed that public grievances are directed not at Kurdish citizens, but at factions associated with the PKK and the Revolutionary Youth.
Weapons Regulation and Accelerated Integration as Foundations for Stability
Kurdish activist and political analyst Abdulwahab Khalil underscored the need for inclusive national rhetoric to reinforce social cohesion and mutual trust. He said the sensitive circumstances in Hassakeh require responsible discourse aimed at de‑escalation and avoiding divisive accusations.
Khalil noted that Hassakeh’s cultural and social diversity demands a unifying message that frames security and stability as shared responsibilities. Residents, he said, are living under anxiety and uncertainty due to ongoing instability and concerns over civilian safety.
He argued that confining weapons strictly to official security institutions under the rule of law is essential to preventing chaos. Accelerating the security and administrative integration process, based on clear agreements and practical guarantees, represents a critical step toward ending instability and restoring normal life.
Khalil urged social, political and media figures to avoid incitement and focus on shared national interests, stressing that sustainable stability requires a cohesive social environment alongside official security measures.
Deputy Governor Outlines Integration Measures and De‑escalation Steps
Speaking to Zaman al‑Wasl, Deputy Governor of Hassakeh Ahmed al‑Hilali confirmed that the province is witnessing active community engagement, including tribal meetings, civil society gatherings and security consultations aimed at preserving civil peace.
Al‑Hilali said Internal Security and Road Security patrols have been deployed across Hassakeh’s neighborhoods as part of ongoing security integration procedures and the withdrawal of former SDF patrols. The goal is to unify security command and eliminate overlapping authorities within the city.
Specialized agencies are working to reinforce the presence of internal security forces and curb unlicensed weapons to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law. Al‑Hilali noted that the Internal Security Directorate has issued guidelines governing peaceful demonstrations, licensing procedures and measures to prevent the illegal use of firearms.
He confirmed ongoing efforts to unify security and judicial systems, describing this as a central demand of protesters and a foundational step in the state integration process. He emphasized the need for a single security reference, a unified judiciary and equal application of the law, adding that any group operating outside official state channels is considered unauthorized and that arrests must occur strictly through legal procedures.
Concluding his remarks, al‑Hilali said current indicators point toward further calm. He reiterated that protecting public property and maintaining inter‑community stability is a shared responsibility between state institutions and local leaders. Restoring security and unifying state institutions, he said, are practical steps designed to safeguard citizen rights, eliminate unregulated weapons and establish a stable foundation for the region’s future.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The post Tensions Rise in Hassakeh After Protests Demand Restoration of State Authority first appeared on The Syrian Observer.