Qamishlo commemorates attack on "People’s Municipality"

On this day, March 11, 2014, the People’s Municipality building in the city of Qamishlo was attacked by ISIS mercenaries in an attempt to strike the newly established autonomous administration experience and disrupt the process of organizing society and managing its affairs. The People’s Municipality had been one of the first institutions of the autonomous administration, which had been announced on January 21 of the same year.

The attack occurred at a time when the institutions of the autonomous administration were gradually taking shape to provide services and organize public life. This made them targets for attacks aimed at undermining any administrative model based on community participation and democratic governance.

Although the attack at the time was an attempt to spread chaos and destabilize security, the institutions of the autonomous administration continued their work and went on to develop their service and administrative structures, relying on the support of local residents and their determination to protect their achievements.

Today, residents of Qamishlo recall the incident 12 years later, amid escalating attacks that have targeted areas of Rojava and North and East Syria in recent times. The region has witnessed a series of assaults by factions affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government.

Recalling those moments, Hussein Mohammed, who was a member of the security team at the People’s Municipality in Qamishlo at the time, said that the attack occurred in the morning hours when several ISIS mercenaries attempted to storm the building and target its employees. As a result of the attack, eight male and female members of the municipality and two civilians who were present there were killed.

He noted that tension spread in the area during the first moments of the attack, as ISIS members stormed the offices and threw hand grenades at the employees. However, staff members and security personnel quickly took immediate measures to protect civilians and secure the building, which helped limit the losses.

Mohammed explained that the objective of the attack was clear: targeting the institutions of the autonomous administration, which at that time were taking their first steps in organizing service and administrative work in the city. He emphasized that the assault did not merely target the building but was an attempt to break the will of the residents who had rallied around their institutions.

He added that the sounds of explosions and gunfire created panic among those present, but the situation quickly turned into one of solidarity, as employees and security members worked together to evacuate and secure the area.

He stressed that the incident left a deep mark on the memory of the people of Qamishlo, but at the same time increased their determination to protect their city, their institutions, and to continue working despite the threats.

For his part, Nabil Ismail, who was also a member of the People’s Municipality at the time, said that residents of Qamishlo had taken it upon themselves since the beginning of the Syrian crisis to protect their regions from any threats, noting that local residents took up arms to defend their areas and institutions.

Nabil stated that the People’s Municipality massacre (Hedaya Hotel) had been planned externally and carried out by ISIS mercenaries. He added:
“Plans are still being drawn up by the Turkish state against the people of Rojava to prevent the Kurds from obtaining their rights and to undermine the achievements that were made through the sacrifices of the martyrs.”

He explained that ISIS mercenaries had claimed responsibility for the attack targeting the People’s Municipality building, noting that the incident prompted residents to increase vigilance and strengthen protection of the city.

He added that what happened then closely resembles what the region is experiencing today, as areas of Rojava and North and East Syria have recently faced a series of attacks. This prompted the autonomous administration to declare general mobilization, after which residents young and old joined efforts to protect their regions, institutions, and the achievements of the revolution.

Ismail pointed out that the vigilance of residents and their participation in the general mobilization helped thwart many attacks and prevent new massacres. He noted that ISIS sleeper cells could have carried out more crimes if it were not for the state of public readiness.

He emphasized that targeting service and administrative institutions is part of broader attempts to weaken the structure of administrative institutions, disrupt their work, and create instability in the region.

Ismail stressed that the institutions of the autonomous administration, the Internal Security Forces, and the Syrian Democratic Forces continue their efforts to maintain security and stability and confront any attempts to return chaos to the region.

He concluded by emphasizing the need for residents to remain in a constant state of vigilance, particularly during the month of March, which is often marked by significant events related to the Kurdish people. He stressed that protecting achievements requires continued public solidarity and readiness to confront any threats, whether internal or external.

ANHA