Our branch draws attention to the present grave and for most part overlooked humanitarian crisis in North and East Syria. We would also like to express our academic solidarity with the education workers of NE Syria’s universities.
Since the Rojava Revolution of 2011, the Kurdish-led democratic governance of multi-ethnic North and East Syria has been a beacon of hope in the region, and internationally. After breaking away from the Ba’athist regime during the Syrian Civil War, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) has embraced democratic confederalism, promoting a progressive agenda of gender equality, social ecology, and direct democracy within the context of a solidarity economy.
The city of Kobanê has been symbolic of resistance against the Islamic State. The defence and liberation of Kobanê in 2015 culminated in the breaking of a siege that signified the reversal of the Islamic State’s territorial control in the area over the succeeding years. Kurdish forces and their allies also fought against the Islamic State’s
genocidal campaign against the Yazidi minorities. The multiethnic Syrian Democratic Forces continued to defend North and East Syria despite the invasion of Afrin Canton in 2018 and further incursions by Turkish armed forces and Turkish-backed militias.
Today, Kobanê is in extreme peril once more. The Ahmed al-Sharaa government, which seized power in 2024, has taken control of NE Syria’s principal cities Heseke and Qamişlo, following conflict at the beginning of 2026. Currently, the population of Kobanê is experiencing dire conditions as essential supplies have been blocked, with limited aid getting through, and communications have been cut. The current siege began on 18th January 2026.
We support the efforts of Kurdish Red Crescent (Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê) to bring humanitarian aid to NE Syria. We call for an end to UK arms sales to Turkey and to the former Al-Queda affiliates in the Syrian Transitional Government.
We also underline our support for the colleagues working in NE Syrian’s higher education institutions. We endorse the call for solidarity released on the 22nd January 2026 from the Faculty and Staff of the universities of Rojava/Northern and Eastern Syria which can be found here.