Brussels, 20 January

These images come from Brussels, where the Kurdish community took to the streets in front of the European Parliament to denounce the fate of the Kurdish community in Syria and a unique democratic experiment in the Middle East, Rojava.

On 18 January, Syrian President Al-Sharaa imposed drastic conditions on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF): dissolution of the autonomous institutions of north-eastern Syria, forced integration of Kurdish fighters into the Damascus army, surrender of Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and Hasaka – about 80% of the territory currently under their control – along with the main border crossings, oil fields and management of ISIS camps and prisons holding over 10,000 foreign fighters. The end of the confederal self-government system is also planned.

Al-Sharaa is a former (?) Islamic extremist. This is never to be forgotten❗

 A truce, extended by 15 days thanks to US and international mediation, allows for technical negotiations. But the humanitarian situation remains critical: in Kobane, 150,000 civilians are isolated, without electricity, with water reduced to 20%, fuel for only one week and still insufficient aid, despite UN warnings

The Rojava regional government, established in 2012, was based on democratic confederalism: popular assemblies, 50% gender parity in all institutions, ethnic pluralism and ecological resource management. Kobane is its symbol: liberated from ISIS in 2015 after 134 days of siege, it demonstrates that grassroots democracy and gender equality can withstand even war.

On 9 January, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced €620 million in funding, but without any conditions to protect Rojava. Meanwhile, NGOs are mobilising public opinion and solidarity convoys are leaving from Germany and France

Without greater media attention, public involvement and immediate diplomatic initiatives, there is a risk of a new, silent abandonment of the Kurds and the Kobane experience.