The General Security Forces of the Interim Authority arrested Kurdish citizen Farid Kurdo in the city of Raqqa, northern Syria, on May 4, 2026. This occurs within the context of an ongoing campaign feared to be targeting Kurdish civilians, amid mounting indicators of violations that may amount to systematic practices.
According to available information, the General Security Service arrested Farid Kurdo, commonly known as “Abu Kurdo,” on charges relating to affiliation with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). However, local sources confirmed that the detainee is a civilian with no links to any political or military activity; he is known to be self-employed and leads a civilian life removed from the conflict.
This arrest takes place despite the agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Interim Authority on January 29, 2026, which stipulates arrangements regarding the integration of forces. This raises questions regarding the continued targeting of civilians, particularly those of Kurdish ethnicity.
Related Violations:
On the same day, May 4, 2026, the General Intelligence Service of the Interim Authorities arrested Kurdish citizen Fathi Ali Muslem, owner of a plumbing supply store in Raqqa, without presenting a legal warrant or providing an official explanation for the procedures taken against him. Pro-authority media outlets justified the arrest with allegations citing his previous work with the SDF, despite local sources confirming his civilian status.
On May 3, 2026, the General Security Service arrested Kurdish lawyer Iyad Kitkani in Raqqa without providing clear legal grounds, utilizing similar media justifications linking his arrest to prior work with the SDF.
Prior to these incidents, on April 30, 2026, Kurdish citizen Ismail al-Kurdi was arrested from the Kurdish Quarter (Hayy al-Akrad) in Raqqa. His body was handed over to his family on May 1, 2026, less than 24 hours after his arrest, with strong indicators that he died under torture during detention.
These incidents fall within a broader context of documented violations against the Kurdish population in Raqqa and the town of Ain Issa since the Interim Authority took control of the region in January 2026. These violations include arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and pressure intended to induce forced displacement, in addition to measures infringing upon private property rights, such as eviction notices for homes and commercial shops, particularly in Ain Issa.
Data also indicates the involvement of pro-authority tribal groups in these practices, further complicating the security and human rights situation in the region.
These facts reinforce fears of a pattern of systematic violations, including arbitrary arrest and torture within detention centers, in the absence of effective judicial oversight and independent accountability mechanisms.
This data underscores the urgent need for independent and transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the arrests of Farid Kurdo, Fathi Ali Muslem, and Iyad Kitkani, as well as an investigation into the death of Ismail al-Kurdi. It calls for holding those responsible accountable and taking urgent measures to halt arbitrary arrests and torture, ensuring the protection of civilians and the respect for fundamental rights without discrimination based on ethnicity or national identity.
