On Saturday, 10 January, an international coalition base in the Ghuwayran district of al-Hasakah became the site of a volatile demonstration as supporters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expressed their frustration. The protesters are reportedly enraged by what they perceive as Washington’s “abandonment” of Kurdish combatants during recent military shifts in Aleppo.
Reporting from the scene, Enab Baladi’s correspondent noted that dozens of individuals converged on the base’s entrance. The crowd was seen kicking at the gates while shouting profanities and insults directed at the United States and President Donald Trump. This outburst was a direct response to American policy concerning the ongoing military situation in northern Syria.
Demonstration Near Al-Sinaa Prison
The protest was initially organized as a sit-in by the Revolutionary Youth Movement, which is linked to the Autonomous Administration. However, the gathering quickly intensified into an attempt to breach the outer gates of the facility. The base is strategically located in Ghuwayran, adjacent to al-Sinaa Prison (also known as Ghwayran Prison), a facility housing thousands of Islamic State group detainees. Consequently, the area has been placed under heightened security measures by both the international coalition and the SDF.
US Diplomatic Stance and Transitional Vision
In the midst of these tensions, US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack took to X to share details of his discussions with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Barrack confirmed that their talks centered on the latest events in Aleppo and the strategic direction of Syria’s transitional phase.
According to Barrack, President Donald Trump views the current climate as “this moment represents a pivotal opportunity to build a new Syria, a unified state in which all sects, including Arabs, Kurds, Druze, Christians, Alawites, Turkmen, Assyrians and others, are treated with respect and dignity,” emphasizing a future where all groups participate effectively in governance and security institutions.
Furthermore, Barrack highlighted that the US president has removed sanctions on the country, “seeking to give Syria a chance to move forward.” The US government has expressed support for the administration of President Ahmed al-Sharaa as it works toward national stability, the reconstruction of state institutions, and fulfilling the Syrian people’s desire for peace and prosperity.
The Collapse of Agreements in Aleppo
The unrest in al-Hasakah is tied to rapid developments in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods. These predominantly Kurdish districts transitioned to government control after previously being held by SDF-aligned fighters. This follows the collapse of earlier understandings reached in April 2025 with the Syrian government.
Local authorities in these areas declared a “general mobilization” on Friday, 9 January, to resist what they termed “attempts at forced displacement” and demographic shifts. Currently, buses are being prepared to relocate SDF fighters from these northern neighborhoods to eastern Syria after a three-day period of clashes.
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