The return of IDPs, from Afrin, Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ayn), and Tel Abyad, was a key factor in January’s 14-point ceasefire and integration agreement. Despite this, the Syrian Transitional Government's has yet to demonstrate its ability to guarantee a safe return for Kurds.

Yesterday evening, following attacks on Kurdish IDPs trying to return to Tel Abyad (Gire Spi), several cities across North and East Syria held protests condemning the violence and demanding a safe return for all displaced Kurdish families.

2/ The area occupied following 2019's operation "Peace Spring" included Sere Kaniye, formerly under SNA control, has since come under state authority, but gaps in security persist. The lack of effective security arrangements raises concerns for returning IDPs.

1/ Displaced residents attempting to return to Tel Abyad (Gire Spi) have reportedly faced violence from people occupying their homes and lands following 2019's Turkish-backed invasion. Videos have circulated online appearing to show cars being attacked, overturned and burning.

After events escalated, security forces used tear gas to disperse the group, as demonstrators attempted to reach Kurdish-majority neighborhoods, which would have led to a clash between the two sides, amid escalating tensions since the announcement of the integration process.

Several protestors destroyed a plaque of a Kurdish woman fighter's braided hair. Ruksen Mohamed, YPJ spokesperson, claimed: "Yesterday's attack...which targeted the plaque of the braided hair..." was "an expression of an aggressive mentality seeking to destabilize the region."

On Heseke's al-Nashwa Bridge, activists spotted new grafitti depicting the flag of the Islamic State (ISIS), while the participants in the demonstration were present on the bridge.

Internal Security Forces intervened to disperse rioting during the demonstration and prevent it from reaching the Kurdish-Majority neighborhoods in the north of the city.

In the morning, with hundreds of individuals gathered with Syrian flags, as well as Islamic symbols, chanting pro-STG slogans. Tensions escalated after a group from the Ghwayran neighborhood of Heseke joined in the demonstration.

[THREAD] Demonstrations were held in Heseke city on Friday, which reportedly escalated into rioting, and notably vandalism of Kurdish symbols. In addition to locals the protest allegedly involved participants who travelled from Shaddadi, and Deir ez-Zor.