Rojava official urges ‘Kurdistani forces’ to mobilize amid ‘annihilation’ threat

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Foza Alyusuf, a senior member of northeast Syria’s (Rojava) ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD), on Monday called on “Kurdistani forces” to declare a general mobilization, warning that “Kurds in Rojava face the threat of annihilation.”

In a statement on X, Alyusuf said that “despite the ceasefire announcement by the Damascus [interim] government, it has not been upheld," citing ongoing clashes in al-Shaddadi in southern Hasaka and Ain Issa in northern Raqqa.

"We call on the Kurdistani forces to declare a general mobilization, as the Kurds in Rojava are facing the threat of genocide,” she urged. “Our people must stay alert and prepared for all possibilities.”

Alyusuf’s remarks followed reports from Rojava’s de facto military forces, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), of a deadly escalation by Damascus-affiliated armed groups in Hasaka and Raqqa, including near two prisons holding thousands of Islamic State (ISIS) fighters.

The SDF reported on X that nine of its fighters were killed and 20 others injured in clashes near al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa, while its forces lost control of al-Shaddadi prison in Hasaka. They also said Damascus-affiliated factions continued attacks on their positions in Ain Issa in northern Raqqa.

Less than 24 hours before the escalation, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced late Sunday that he had signed a 14-point agreement with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi to “immediately” halt violence in northeast Syria (Rojava) and integrate areas administered by the Kurdish-led authority into state institutions.

Key provisions of the agreement include integrating the SDF and its affiliated Internal Security Forces (Asayish) into the defense and interior ministries, as well as the handover of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces by the Kurdish-led Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES).

Under the accord, Damascus would also assume responsibility for ISIS detainees and their families currently held by the SDF.

In a late-night video message on Sunday, Abdi said the SDF remains determined to protect the “achievements” of Rojava, despite what he described as a “war” imposed on his forces.

Importantly, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on Monday that the SDF Chief had arrived in Damascus for talks with Sharaa.