This interview was conducted with an organizer involved in the newly forming Rojava Network Berlin, a collective of Kurds from North and East Syria now living in Europe. The conversation took place amid escalating violence against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava).
Who are you as organizers, and what is the Rojava Network Berlin?
We are primarily individuals who come from Rojava, from different cities and regions. Today, we all live in Europe. Recently, we began the process of founding the Rojava Network Berlin.
The network is still in its early stages, but our goal is to build a strong and connected network among Kurds from Rojava—starting here in Berlin and growing beyond. We want to organize collectively, support one another, and make our voices heard in a political climate that often speaks about us without ever listening to us.
What is missing or misrepresented in mainstream media coverage of Syria, particularly in Germany?
Mainstream media—especially in Germany—often emphasizes the so-called “good relations” between Germany and the new power holders in Syria. What is largely ignored is that these ruling forces emerged directly from HTS and Al-Qaida structures. Al-Shara himself is a former terrorist, and Syrians know this very well.
There have been documented massacres against minorities, including Alawites on the coast and Druze communities in al-Sweida. Organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have reported on these crimes, yet they are barely reflected in mainstream media coverage. Instead, we see diplomatic normalization. Figures like Al-Shara are invited and treated as legitimate political actors, as if their past—and present—violence does not matter.
In reality, these forces have never stopped operating as extremist groups. They continue to commit violence inside Syria while much of the Western world looks away. This is especially alarming now that they are attacking the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria—Rojava—where predominantly Kurdish communities live.
Kurds are well aware of what Islamist groups represent. Kurds were among those who fought ISIS, alongside the U.S. and with Western support. Now, we are being targeted and attacked by these same kinds of Islamist forces.
How does solidarity between minorities and anti-government collectives take shape, both in Syria and in the diaspora?
We recognize each other’s pain. We know what Yazidi women have endured at the hands of Islamist groups. Many of us still have friends, sisters, or relatives who remain enslaved by ISIS emirs. Every Kurdish person knows at least one family where a girl was enslaved or a man was killed by ISIS.
Because of this, we know exactly what extreme Islamist groups are capable of.
Who still enslaves people today? Who carries out mass rape of women simply because they are Yazidi? For these groups, Kurdish and Yazidi people are infidels. That reality creates a deep, shared understanding between targeted and marginalized communities.
When Alawites or Druze say they were attacked, massacred, slaughtered, or thrown from balconies, we know this is true—because we have lived through the same terror. And this is not just our belief. International organizations have documented these crimes.
Our solidarity is built on shared trauma and shared truth. Yet despite all of this, the Western world continues to look away.
What is your call to action? How can people in Berlin and beyond show solidarity?
First and foremost:
- An immediate and lasting halt to all attacks on Rojava and the Kurdish self-administration areas
- Recognition and protection of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration under international law
- No political or diplomatic legitimization of any government that consolidates power through violence against minorities
- No military or diplomatic support for forces that have demonstrably integrated jihadist structures
We also demand international recognition of the Self-Administration of North and East Syria as a legitimate self-governing administration.
For people in Berlin, solidarity means listening to those directly affected, showing up to demonstrations, amplifying our voices, and refusing to accept the whitewashing of violence in the name of “stability” or diplomacy.
Next event
Experience an afternoon filled with music, storytelling, and fellowship at our bazaar. Enjoy delicious food and live performances by @bablisk_band and @cengizyazgi_official.
All proceeds will be donated to families in Rojava.
📍 Location: Oranienstr. 34, 10999 Berlin
📅 Date: 15.02.2026 | Time: 14:00 – 20:00 Uhr
💰 Entry: 5 € (donation-based)
Organized by @rojava_netzwerk.berlin in cooperation with @rojavida.bildung.
Don’t miss out—come and make a difference!
