The ceasefire expired today with Damascus officially rejecting any extension. Syrian state media SANA declared there is "no truth" to reports of prolonging the truce, marking a critical turning point as both sides intensify military preparations. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's deadline for the SDF to submit a comprehensive integration proposal also expired today, with negotiations stalled after SDF commander Mazloum Abdi declared protecting Kurdish-majority areas in Kobani and al-Hasakah a "red line."
Emergency Response in Hasakah
Tozo explained that the city is operating under emergency conditions due to ongoing attacks in the region and intimidation campaigns on social media platforms aimed at displacing residents. Under the general mobilization, city residents have taken to the streets to protect their neighborhoods while municipal authorities work to meet basic needs.
"Despite the declaration of general mobilization, all needs are being met as much as possible, and the morale of the people remains high," Tozo stated. The generator committee has been instructed to continue operations during evening hours until morning to maintain visibility and security on city streets.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Kobani
The situation in nearby Kobani has reached catastrophic levels, with the Kurdish Red Crescent reporting that four children died from severe cold following a recent snowstorm. Co-chair Hediya Abdullah confirmed the deaths as the besieged city faces what authorities describe as a "suffocating siege" with all access roads closed and electricity, water, and internet services completely cut off.
The United Nations has confirmed that all roads to Kobani remain blocked and warned of serious risks of further deterioration as the region endures what officials call the most severe winter in half a century.
War Crimes Documentation and Military Assessments
The SDF released documentation today detailing what it describes as systematic violations and war crimes committed by government-aligned forces. The evidence file includes cases of arbitrary detention, humiliation, forced displacement, attacks on medical facilities, and abuse of civilians in Aleppo neighborhoods including Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh.
In a speech at Kobani's Martyr Egid Square, QSD General Command member Cemîl Kobanê characterized the current situation as the beginning of what he called a "Third World War," stating that the conflict will extend throughout the region including Iraq and Iran. He emphasized that international powers are attempting to reshape the Middle East regardless of ethnic identities.
International Response Continues
Hundreds of Kurds demonstrated in central Amsterdam today in solidarity with Rojava, while Kurdish Regional Government representative to the United States Treefa Aziz launched diplomatic efforts on Capitol Hill seeking urgent civilian protection measures.
Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of the Department of External Relations of the Democratic Autonomous Administration, affirmed that consolidating the ceasefire and ending military operations remain fundamental prerequisites for implementing the January 18 agreement and ensuring the safe return of displaced persons. She acknowledged that civilian life has been severely affected, with education suspended amid harsh winter conditions, while commending ongoing national and international efforts to end the conflict.
Photo: ANF