DAA affirms its commitment to protecting UN Institutions to ensure continuation of their humanitarian role

Today, the Department of External Relations of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria issued a statement regarding the demonstration held in front of the building of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the city of Qamishlo. The statement read:

“On 11 January 2026, the city of Qamishlo witnessed a demonstration in front of the headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in which a number of angry youths participated to denounce the massacres and human rights violations committed against the residents of several neighborhoods of the city of Aleppo, including Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, Bani Zaid, and the Syriac community, during recent days.

The horrific scenes, accompanied by an escalation of hate speech on social media platforms and some official media outlets, prompted some participants to engage in irresponsible behavior, including writing slogans that are inconsistent with the status and role of this UN institution, which is considered a neutral humanitarian organization providing its services across various sectors in North and East Syria.

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria followed up on this matter directly with officials of UN agencies based in Qamishlo and worked to contain it in accordance with international laws and norms, as well as the principles of the Autonomous Administration. In this context, we reaffirm our full commitment to protecting UN institutions and keeping them neutral from developments on the Syrian scene, in a manner that ensures the continuation of their humanitarian and impartial role in serving all citizens without exception.”

ANHAN