Celebratory gunfire during detainees return kills man in Rojava

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Celebratory gunfire marking the return of released detainees killed one man and wounded six others in northeast Syria’s (Rojava) Qamishli city.

Bashir Rashid Ahmed was struck in the head by a bullet on Friday as residents fired weapons into the air to celebrate the arrival of former detainees affiliated with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) released from Syrian government prisons.

The celebrations followed the release of 232 SDF-affiliated detainees by the Syrian government as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange agreement between Damascus and the autonomous administration governing Rojava. Hundreds of families gathered across the region to welcome the freed detainees home.

The exchange is part of a broader agreement reached on January 29 between Damascus and the SDF, brokered with US mediation and support from Kurdish political figures in the Kurdistan Region after weeks of intense fighting.

Bashir’s death sparked renewed criticism of celebratory gunfire, a practice that has repeatedly caused injuries and fatalities across the Middle East.

Bashir’s mother, Khadija Ahmed, spoke to Rudaw on Sunday. “It is as if they are tearing your heart and soul out of your body while you are still alive and torturing you. My heart is shattered, we have all died,” she said.

Bashir, who had four sisters and one brother, was remembered by his family as a close friend and beloved son. His sister, Bushra, urged people to stop firing weapons during celebrations.

“He was my friend, not just a brother. It is very hard. I hope my voice reaches everyone - please, stop this celebratory gunfire,” she said.

Relatives said Bashir had been preparing for his wedding before tragedy struck. Instead of wedding celebrations, mourning filled the family home.

According to a private hospital in Qamishli, seven wounded people were brought in on the night the fourth convoy of released SDF detainees arrived from government-controlled areas.

Imad Rasul, an emergency physician in Qamishli, said the hospital frequently receives such cases.

“We see many such cases. That night, seven wounded people were brought to us; one of them [Bashir] lost his life,” he said.

Bashir remained unconscious in the intensive care unit for 12 hours before succumbing to his injuries.

Viviyan Fettah contributed to this article from Qamishli, Rojava.