July 27 Massacre Anniversary: Families rally for protection"

Today marks the anniversary of the explosion in the western neighborhood of Qamishlo. On July 27, 2016, ISIS mercenaries detonated a truck bomb on Amuda Road, one of the busiest streets in the city. The explosion occurred during peak shopping hours, resulting in the death of 62 civilians and the injury of 177 others.

Their Memory Lives On

Each year, Qamishlo residents gather at the site of the massacre to honor the victims, keeping their memory alive and trying to heal the wounds. This year’s memorial event is expected to see significant attendance.

In response to this painful tragedy, residents—especially the victims’ families—focused on building core community protection to prevent future attacks. This has led to the strengthening of the Community Protection Forces (HPC).

Wider Protection Network

The Community Protection Forces were founded in 2014, and a women’s branch was established in 2025. Following the Amuda Road massacre, training and organizing activities increased to raise awareness about the importance of protection.

Rabia Hassan, the leader of the Community Protection Forces in Qamishlo, stated that organizing society based on protection is the strongest response to attacks. She added that they expanded their work after the massacre by forming committees in all neighborhoods.

Protection committees have now spread across all neighborhoods and streets. Alongside local residents, the victims’ families are also playing an active role in these committees.

Asma Isa, who lives in the western neighborhood near the massacre site, is one of the survivors. Her brother Ala Isa was martyred, and Asma herself was injured, along with her mother, two sisters, and two nephews.

Asma now serves in the Community Protection Forces and helps guard her neighborhood. She had received protection training before the explosion, which enabled her to help her injured family members get to the hospital despite her wounds.

She stressed that no one knows when something might happen in the region, so everyone must be prepared. Asma called on all city residents to participate in protection, training, and preparedness efforts.

The Community Protection Forces (HPC) and the Women’s Community Protection Forces include members from all components of the region. Unified protection fronts have been reinforced, especially with the aim of preventing corruption, discord, and attacks. Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Assyrians, and Yazidis have all strengthened these protection fronts and prioritized unity.

Efram Soumi, the member of the Syriac community who joined the Community Protection Forces five years ago, noted that they organized themselves at the right time.

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ANHA