Residents of Jabal Aqil continue protests against Turkish base

Jabal Aqil in the countryside of al-Bab witnessed a new protest stand rejecting the Turkish base’s control over residents’ land and homes, with demonstrators affirming that their movement will continue until their properties are restored.

22 May, 2026 19:48

NEWS DESK

Jabal Aqil in the northern countryside of Aleppo’s al-Bab region witnessed today a large peaceful protest under the slogan “Friday of Our Demand is a Right,” marking the sixth consecutive week of demonstrations. The protest rejected the continued control of the Turkish military base over residents’ lands and homes, as well as the ongoing bulldozing and expansion activities in the area, amid rising public anger and residents’ insistence on reclaiming their property.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), dozens of protesters gathered after Friday prayers in the protest square, holding banners and slogans reaffirming their commitment to their lands and homes, which they lost following the establishment of the Turkish military base in the area in 2017 under the pretext of converting it into military barracks.

The protesters chanted slogans expressing their ongoing suffering, including: “Our homes are not just stones and cement, but lives and memories stolen from us,” referring to forced displacement and deprivation of their properties. They stressed that control over or demolition of their homes would not nullify their rights, but would instead increase their determination to continue the peaceful popular movement until they are restored.

Participants called on officials in the al-Bab district, Aleppo governorate, and relevant authorities to assume responsibility toward the people of Jabal Aqil, and to work toward stopping bulldozing operations and returning land and property to their rightful owners. The chants also continued demanding the withdrawal of the Turkish base from the area, with residents emphasizing that the land belongs to its owners regardless of how long the occupation continues.

The protesters confirmed that their peaceful movement will continue through further sit-ins and public activities until their demands are met, stressing that ignoring their issue or delaying fair solutions only increases public tension in the region.

ANHA