12.03.2026 UPDATE- Bids farewell to comrade Salih Muslim
Salih Muslim, a leading member of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), died on March 11, 2026, in Erbil, where he had been receiving treatment for sickness. He was a pioneer of the Rojava Revolution and twice co-chair of the PYD, playing a crucial role in the process of building a democratic Syria. During the 40 years he was involved in the revolution, he was arrested and exiled several times by the Baath regime and is also the father of a martyr. His remains were brought from Erbil to Rojava where they were welcomed by the society and will be buried there.
Appeal to the German government for Eva Maria Michelmann
The missing journalist Ahmed Polat had also conducted an interview with Salih Muslim earlier. In a press conference in Cologne, the family of Eva Maria Michelmann appealed to the German government to highlight the situation of the missing journalist. The two journalists were abducted and disappeared on January 18 during clashes over control of the city of Raqqa. There is still no information about their whereabouts.
Families return to Afrin
The first groups of families are returning to Afrin after years of forced displacement. Around 400 families have arrived so far from regions such as Heseke, Raqqa and Tebqa, and the return was welcomed by representatives of the Autonomous Administration. The first convoy was accompanied by Asayîş forces, while more families are preparing to return in the coming days as part of the implementation of the January 29 agreement. However, the return of a second group scheduled for these days has been postponed.
Al-Sharaa affiliated groups accused of looting
There are reported cases of looting at health centers and destruction of civilian property in the surroundings of Kobanê. In some cases, arson attacks against houses have also been recorded. Local sources report that armed groups affiliated with the self-proclaimed transitional government are responsible for the attacks on civilian property. Similar reports of looting of homes have also been documented in occupied Serekaniye.
Developments in North and East Syria
Traffic has resumed on parts of the international M4 highway, an important transport route in North and East Syria. At the same time, families in Kobanê have demanded the release of prisoners of war and the return of the bodies of fallen fighters. The Syrian Democratic Forces also announced that Sipan Hemo has officially begun his duty as Syria’s Deputy Minister of Defense. In Raqqa, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) also announced the martyrdom of one of their fighters.
Iranian army targets sites in Iraq
Military bases and airports in Iraq have been targeted by Iranian forces with missiles and drones. The attacks were directed towards Erbil and Nineveh, while a drone was intercepted near Baghdad International Airport. In a separate drone strike on a Komala base in Sulaymaniyah, a Peshmerga fighter was killed. The attacks come amid ongoing tensions between Iran and opposition groups based in the Kurdistan Region.
Two Kurdish prisoners start hunger strike
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network stated that retired teacher Mehdi Baqiri and activist Keyo Mers Waizi, held in Dizlawa Prison in Kermanshah (Iran), started a hunger strike four days ago. They were arrested during protests against the government in January and are now facing charges such as “propaganda against the state” and “disrupting national security.” According to the report, their protest is directed against political interference by the Ministry of Intelligence in their legal case. Meanwhile, human rights organizations warn that the conditions of women prisoners in Qarchak prison are worsening.