Protests continue in SDF-held areas of Syria as residents fear regime crackdown

Protests broke out in several towns in northern and eastern Syria on Friday against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia coalition, following an agreement between the SDF and the Assad regime allowing Syrian troops to enter SDF-held areas.

The agreement came in response to a Turkish operation to capture Kurdish-held areas of northern Syria.

Residents of the SDF-held city of Manbij in northern Syria also expressed their fears of being detained following the entry of regime troops into the town.

In the city of Tabqa in Raqqa province, which is also held by the SDF, protesters called for the fall of the Assad regime. People in the city fear that regime troops will enter soon.

Read more: What will be the future of the Syrian Democratic Forces?

Anti-regime protests also broke out in the SDF-held towns of Hajine, Shuhail and Abu Hamam in southeastern Syria.

People displaced from Manbij protested in the northern city of Jarabulus, which has been held by pro-Turkish Syrian rebels since 2016.

Manbij has been held by the SDF for three years and refugees from the city have been unable to return.

Last Tuesday, regime and Russian forces entered Manbij after being invited by the SDF. Some of the demonstrators in Jarabulus called for the Turkish-backed “Syrian National Army” to “liberate” the city.

People still living in Manbij told the New Arab that life in the city was “paralysed” after the entry of regime troops, with entry points to the city closed and all shops closed.

Local resident Mohammed Al-Umairi said, “The regime is present in Manbij now but the SDF have power and control and the thing that worries us most is that the regime will take over.”

“This will cause a real catastrophe. People are afraid of being arrested by regime forces because of their political views or being conscripted into the regime army”, he added.

The regime has a record of arresting political opponents in areas it has captured from rebels, such as Daraa province and Ghouta, in violation of peace agreements. It also forcibly drafts young men into its army to fight on the frontlines.

Firas Salah, another resident of Manbij, told The New Arab, “So far, nothing has happened, and the regime hasn’t done anything to us as civilians. But as far as I’m concerned staying in the city is not an option at all at this time. I’m afraid of being arrested by the regime if they take control of the city. I may sell my things and leaves, and that’s the best solution for me, but I’ll wait a little to see what happens.”