HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN SYRIA Northeast Syria (Rojava/AANES) – January 2026

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN SYRIA

Northeast Syria (Rojava/AANES) – January 2026

Prepared by:

• Kurdish Centre for Human Rights, Geneva

• Independent Expert Rapporteur – Middle East, Syria, Kurdish Question

Publication date: 31 January 2026
Coverage period: 1–31 January 2026
Classification: For public circulation – Media, NGOs, International Institutions, States, International Courts

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Between 6 and 31 January 2026, the Syrian Transitional Government (STG), in coordination with Turkey and allied jihadist groups, launched an escalated military campaign against areas controlled by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava/AANES). This escalation has led to grave and systematic human rights violations, qualified as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possible elements of genocide under the Rome Statute (International Criminal Court) and the Geneva Conventions.

Key Figures

• 150,000+ civilians displaced (Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, Aleppo).
• 250,000+ internal displacements in northeast Syria.
• 100–300+ civilians killed (estimates ongoing).
• Hundreds of people missing or executed.
• Thousands of Islamic State (ISIS) detainees deliberately released (admissions documented on video).
• 51 video evidences documented (Google Drive + Facebook archives).
• 6+ children dead in Kobani (exposure to cold, lack of medicines, siege).
• 1 child killed and 3 injured in Qasimiya (artillery shelling, 25 January).
• Saleh family executed (Abu Khashab, 6 people, 18 January).
• Water, electricity and internet cut off in Kobani (21–31 January).
• 1 Kurdish fighter executed (Agid Rajo, body burned, 500‑dollar ransom demanded).
• 1,956 families (8,837 people) in emergency shelters in Qamishli.
• Among the displaced populations: 54.7% women, 30.2% children, 11.1% older persons.

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• SECTION I: CONTEXT – ETHNIC CLEANSING IN ALEPPO AND SIEGE OF KOBANI A. Chronology of the Siege and Attack (6 January – 31 January 2026)
• Late December 2025 – Siege of Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo
• Complete blockade: fuel, food, essential goods.
• No Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) units present (1 April agreement).
• Defense ensured only by local internal security forces (light weapons only).
• 6 January 2026 – Massive attack by the STG and Turkish‑backed militias
• Use of heavy weaponry documented.
• Units composed of fighters affiliated with Turkey‑backed militias and jihadist groups.
• The same groups were involved in massacres of Alawites and Druze in early 2026.
• Turkish reinforcements documented.
• 9 January 2026 – Meeting between Ursula von der Leyen and al‑Sharaa
• 620 million euros promised for reconstruction in Syria.
• Widely criticized as tacit endorsement of ongoing violations.
• European Union concerns: monitoring of funds.
• 11 January 2026 – Ceasefire brokered by the United States
• Evacuation of civilians and wounded through humanitarian corridors.
• Withdrawal of local security forces from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh.
• 150,000+ civilians displaced.
• 18 January 2026 – Massacre of the Saleh family in Abu Khashab
• 6 people executed (Kurdish family).
• Shirin Salih documented the massacre (video, audio messages).
• Case qualifies as crimes against humanity and elements of genocide.
• 21 January 2026 – Water, electricity and internet cut in Kobani
• Water completely cut off.
• Electricity cut off (prolonged siege, 5–10 days).
• Internet cut off.
• Sub‑zero temperatures (–2°C to –5°C).
• Civilian infrastructure deliberately targeted = war crime.
• 25 January 2026 – Shelling of Qasimiya village
• 1 child killed.
• 3 children injured (heavy artillery shelling).
• Clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.
• 21–31 January 2026 – Prolonged siege of Kobani
• 6+ children dead (cold, lack of medicines, malnutrition).
• 1 infant died in hospital (lack of oxygen).
• No water (only melted snow).
• Bread and flour unavailable.
• Humanitarian conditions catastrophic.

B. Overall Destruction Toll

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Download complete report: Report_Syria_2026_human_right_violations