The lowering of the Syrian flag during Nowruz celebrations in the city of Ain al-Arab/Kobani (in eastern Aleppo countryside, northern Syria) has sparked widespread anger and drawn strong reactions across social media, amid calls for protests in several Syrian areas.
Media outlets close to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said the young man involved had been arrested, stressing that the incident was an “individual act” that does not represent any party.
Activists circulated video footage showing a young man lowering the Syrian flag from a pole during a Nowruz event. The scene prompted many users to condemn the incident as an insult to state symbols, while others called for those responsible to be held accountable under the law.
Kurds in Syria celebrate Nowruz on March 21 each year as the Kurdish New Year and a festival of spring and renewal. Celebrations usually include lighting the traditional fire, wearing folkloric clothing, and holding public events that reflect cultural symbolism tied to identity and heritage.
Security response and calls for reporting
In a related development, the Internal Security Directorate in Aleppo said the relevant authorities were following the incident with “great concern,” stressing that the lowering of the flag was carried out “deliberately, in a manner that violates the law and undermines the symbolism of the state.”
The directorate called on anyone with information about the individual’s identity or whereabouts to cooperate and report through official channels, emphasizing its commitment to “applying the law fairly and maintaining security and stability.”
For its part, Hawar News Agency, which is close to the SDF, reported that the Internal Security Directorate in Kobani had arrested the young man, identified by the initials K.A., in connection with the incident.
In a statement, the directorate said the act was “unacceptable and does not reflect the spirit of national unity among Syrians of different components.” It added that the incident was “an individual act that does not represent any party or institution.”
The statement said the relevant authorities would take the necessary legal measures against the perpetrator to ensure the implementation of the law and preserve civil peace.
The directorate also called on residents to respect national symbols and uphold values of solidarity and social cohesion, stressing that Nowruz should remain “a celebration of love and fraternity among all components of the Syrian people.”
Protest calls in Raqqa and al-Hasakah
At the same time, an Enab Baladi correspondent in Raqqa reported calls to organize a protest at al-Naeem roundabout in the city on Saturday evening, in condemnation of the incident in Kobani. The call was issued by the “Raqqa Revolutionaries Association.”
In al-Hasakah governorate, the correspondent also reported similar calls for protests in the city of al-Shaddadi (in southern al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria), without further details on the expected turnout or the organizing parties.
These calls reflect the tension surrounding the incident, especially amid widespread engagement on social media, where opinions were divided between those who viewed it as an insult to national symbols and those who considered it an isolated act that should not be generalized.
Parallel incident in Azaz
In a related incident, circulated footage showed a group of people burning the flag of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq at the “al-Shatt” checkpoint in the city of Azaz (in northern Aleppo countryside, northern Syria), alongside Nowruz celebrations.
According to activists, the incident came in response to the flag-lowering in Kobani, after a Kurdish young man was reportedly assaulted in the city and his motorcycle was burned, amid rising tensions in the area.
Nowruz between symbolism and tension
The developments come at a time when Nowruz is widely seen as a unifying cultural occasion that carries meanings of renewal and celebration of life. However, the recent incidents have cast a shadow over this year’s celebrations, amid escalating rhetoric linked to the symbolism of the Syrian flag.
Attention now turns to how authorities will handle these incidents and contain their repercussions, as calls grow to regulate public discourse and prevent further escalation.
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