Eurasia Press & News
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) issued a statement condemning chants shouted by some members of the Syrian Ministry of Defense, which it said contained “threats and incitement” against it, during gatherings held on Liberation Day on Monday, 8 December.
Social media users circulated a video showing a commander in the Syrian Ministry of Defense issuing a threat to the SDF during celebrations in the city of Deir Ezzor, telling it that it faced a choice “either politics or the sword.”
Monday marked the first anniversary of Syria’s liberation and the fall of the Assad regime. On this occasion, the Syrian government declared public holidays on 7 and 8 December, and squares across Syrian provinces saw large gatherings of people celebrating the anniversary of liberation.
In its statement issued on Tuesday, 9 December, the SDF said that the conduct of the “armed” groups affiliated with the Ministry of Defense reflected “the mentality of the Ba’athist regime” that Syrians rose up against.
The SDF considered that such chants coming from personnel affiliated with the Ministry of Defense “place the authorities in Damascus before clear responsibilities,” adding that “either these actions are part of an official approach being pushed through rhetorical chaos, or they reflect a deliberate inability to rein in the armed groups affiliated with it.”
It argued that what happened was not a momentary outburst or an isolated individual excess but a repetition of “systematic” practices aimed at “stoking hatred” and reviving “discourses of division and threat,” which it described as a flagrant violation of civil peace and an attempt to drag Syria back into the cycle of conflict “for which Syrians have paid a heavy price.”
The statement stressed that “the peoples of northeastern Syria” will not be a stage for hate speech, and that any attempt at incitement or destabilization will be met “with a responsible and firm stance that preserves civil peace and protects the gains of all Syrians.”
It concluded that Syria’s future will not be built on slogans of “hysteria and incitement,” but on partnership, mutual recognition, and respect for the will of the components that have proven to be the cornerstone in protecting the country and repelling terrorism, adding that any disregard of this reality is an attempt to drag the Syrian scene backwards, something that “our people and our forces” will not allow.
Protests in SDF-held areas
By contrast, several protests took place on Monday in areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor to celebrate Liberation Day and to reject the SDF’s decision banning celebratory gatherings on grounds of “security conditions.”
Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Raqqa reported that SDF forces arrested one person in the city for carrying a sign during the protest that read, “It is our right to rejoice, SDF.”
Protesters rejected the SDF decision to prevent celebrations, insisting that they, as Syrians, have the right to take part in the anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, according to the correspondent.
In Deir Ezzor, Enab Baladi’s correspondent said that Abu Hamam village (in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor in eastern Syria) witnessed a demonstration to mark Liberation Day, despite the SDF ban on gatherings and events.
The correspondent confirmed that none of the demonstrators were arrested and that the SDF did not intervene with any security measures.
Ban on celebrations
The Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria decided to ban all mass or social gatherings and events across its areas on 7 and 8 December.
It also banned firing live ammunition and fireworks, according to a statement published by the Administration on its Facebook page on 6 December.
The Council attributed the decision to the current security situation, namely the increased activity of “terrorist cells” seeking to sow discord, undermine social cohesion, and carry out “terrorist” operations by exploiting the anniversary of the fall of the “former regime,” as well as to its concern for citizens’ safety, the protection of security and civil peace, and the requirements of the public interest.
Abdi congratulates Syrians on liberation
The commander in chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, congratulated Syrians on the first anniversary of the fall of the “former regime,” hours after celebrations were banned in areas under his forces’ control.
He considered that Syria entered a new phase with the regime’s fall, describing the moment as a turning point that ended decades of authoritarianism and division.
Abdi said in a post on X on 7 December that the new phase in Syria’s history must be built on justice in a way that serves the interests of Syrians.
He expressed hope that current political developments will help strengthen stability and build institutions that are more representative.
The SDF commander in chief reiterated his commitment to the 10 March agreement, describing it as “a foundation for building a democratic, decentralized state,” as he put it.
