Qamishlo Commemorates 62 martyrs of western neighbourhood bombings

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the bombing that struck Qamishlo's Western Neighbourhood in the Jazira Canton. At approximately 9:15 a.m. on 27 July 2016, ISIS mercenaries detonated a truck bomb on Amuda Road, one of the city's busiest thoroughfares, as residents were heading to work and local markets.

The explosion killed 62 people, including three members of the Internal Security Forces (Asayish), and wounded 177 others. It also caused extensive destruction to residential buildings, shops and the area's infrastructure.

The bombing remains one of the deadliest attacks in Qamishlo's history. The blast was heard across the city and even reached the nearby Turkish city of Nusaybin. Thick black smoke blanketed the sky, while the powerful shockwave inflicted severe damage on surrounding buildings and public facilities.

The attack left deep human and material scars. Dozens of families lost loved ones, while others suffered multiple losses. Among the victims was one family that lost nine members in a single moment.

A decade later, only one wall still stands at the site of the explosion. It bears the word "Qamishlo" in Kurdish alongside the date of the massacre—27 July 2016—serving as a lasting reminder of one of the darkest chapters in the city's history.

Survivors: The Wounds Remain Despite the Passing Years

Farhan Ezzat Ibrahim, who owns a poultry shop in the Western Neighbourhood and was injured in the attack, recalled the day:

"That morning, I opened my shop as usual at 7:30 a.m. About two hours later, around 9:20 a.m., the explosion occurred."

He continued: "Today marks ten years since this tragic day. It was one of the darkest days of our lives. The explosion was incredibly powerful. Many of our neighbours were killed, and some families lost every member. Others suffocated inside their homes after the force of the blast sealed their doors, preventing them from escaping."

Ibrahim said he suffered injuries across his body and permanent damage to his eardrum, leaving him with hearing loss that persists to this day. He later travelled to Lebanon for medical treatment.

"One year after the attack, I reopened my shop following repairs. The walls still bear the scars of the explosion, while reconstruction of the street continues so that life can fully return," he added.

Mother of a Victim: I Still See That Morning Before My Eyes

Zubaida Farhan, the mother of Mohammed Hassan, an Internal Security Forces (Asayish) member who was killed in the bombing, also recalled the events of that day.

"My son alternated between work and home. That morning I prepared breakfast for him while waiting for him to return. Suddenly we heard a massive explosion. I rushed outside and saw huge clouds of smoke and dust rising into the sky. We immediately ran to the blast site, where I learned that my son had been there."

She added: "The scene was complete chaos. Because of the crowds, the thick smoke and the bodies lying on the ground, no one could recognise anyone. Everyone was searching for relatives while ambulances carried away the dead and the wounded."

Despite the passing of ten years, she said, the pain remains vivid.

"That day, the blood of children, elderly people and young men was mixed together. The neighbourhood lost many neighbours and friends, and one family lost nine members at once."

Memory Endures, Reconstruction Symbolises Defiance

Despite the devastation caused by the bombing, the Western Neighbourhood has gradually returned to life. Residents continue rebuilding homes and businesses destroyed in the attack, demonstrating their determination to live and their refusal to surrender to terrorism.

This year, the people of Qamishlo are preparing to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the massacre with a central ceremony at the site of the bombing, where they will honour the victims and renew their commitment to carrying forward their path.

The Western Neighbourhood massacre remains one of the deadliest attacks ever witnessed in the region and continues to symbolise both profound loss and steadfast resilience in the memory of Qamishlo.

ANHA