24.02.2026, 17:00 CET UPDATE – Possible return to Afrin
Possible return to Afrin
A delegation from Rojava’s internal security forces (Asayish) visited Afrin, Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiye, and Raqqa to prepare for the return of displaced families. In addition, a list of 400 families who are to return to Afrin as soon as possible has been officially finalized. The return of the displaced persons is part of the agreement of January 29 and offers the possibility for families, some of whom were already displaced in 2018/19, to return to their parts of Rojava.
ISIS camp empty
The “foreign minister” of the jihadist regime in Damascus has announced that all prisoners in the al-Hol camp have been released in recent weeks. Since the military victory over ISIS in 2019, the camp has held around 24,000 people, mostly families who are part of the terrorist militia. Four thousand of them are nationals from outside Syria and joined the militia from over 40 countries. A large number of ISIS members were taken to Idlib and Aleppo in western Syria. ISIS is also regaining strength, particularly in Deir ez-Zor. The countries whose citizens were housed in Hol Camp, including many European countries, have prevented their return for years.
Pressure on Shengal
In Shengal (South Kurdistan, Iraq), the state is attempting to put pressure on the Yazidi community through military blockade. The government in Baghdad is demanding that Shengal’s self-defense forces surrender their weapons. The residents say that the situation is reminiscent of the genocide in Shengal in 2014, as ISIS is once again gaining strength in the region. They are therefore demanding that the state recognize Shengal’s self-defense units.
Öcalan made ceasefire possible
A PYD politician explained in detail how the ceasefire agreement of January 29 came about. Abdullah Öcalan negotiated with the Turkish state and declared that he would withdraw from the peace negotiations in Turkey if further attacks on Rojava took place. At his suggestion, the Turkish state then sent a delegation to Qamishlo, Rojava, which also delivered a letter from Öcalan. After the meeting in Qamishlo, the Turkish delegation telephoned Damascus to convince them of the ceasefire agreement.
Massacre against Rojava
Research has revealed initial figures on the war since the beginning of the year. The Center for Strategic Research (NRLS) has announced that at least 1,200 residents have been killed in the jihadist attacks. In addition, thousands more people have been kidnapped or displaced.