Assault on a Bus Belonging to “Haval” Company Due to Its Alleged Kurdish Affiliation in Deir ez-Zor… Attack on Civilians During a Journey Between Qamishli and Damascus
A civilian passenger bus belonging to Haval Transport Company was attacked in Deir ez-Zor Governorate in eastern Syria on 16 March 2026, reportedly on the grounds that the company is considered to be affiliated with Kurds. The assault resulted in the smashing of the bus windows and the intimidation of civilian passengers who were on board during their journey along the road connecting Qamishli and Damascus. The incident constitutes an example of the escalating targeting based on ethnic, sectarian, and religious grounds amid the security tensions affecting the region.
According to local sources, the bus operated by Haval Transport Company was attacked by a group of protesters while passing through the city of Deir ez-Zor. The bus was carrying civilian passengers traveling from al-Hasakah Governorate, including patients, students, women, and children.
A video recorded at the scene captured the voice of one individual justifying the assault on the grounds that the bus belonged to “Haval” Company, noting that the company is “affiliated with the Kurds,” which reflects a motive based on ethnic grounds.
According to preliminary information, the attack led to the smashing of the bus windows and its temporary detention. However, at the time of drafting this report, there was no confirmed information regarding injuries among the passengers.
The incident occurred amid protests in the city of Deir ez-Zor organized by relatives of detainees held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who were demanding disclosure of the fate of their relatives and their release.
According to sources, the protesters burned tires and blocked roads, resulting in the disruption of traffic and creating a state of tension and disorder in the area. Within the context of these protests, the civilian bus was targeted and detained despite the presence of civilian passengers on board.
Haval Transport Company has operated under the same name for many years and is considered one of the well-known companies providing land transportation between cities in northeastern Syria and the capital Damascus.
The Forum of Employees of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria condemned the assault, stating that targeting a civilian means of transport solely because the company bears a Kurdish name constitutes a racist and dangerous act that threatens civil peace.
The statement affirmed that the incident caused intimidation among civilian passengers, including women, children, patients, and students, and called on the responsible authorities to ensure the protection of civilians and transportation services, as well as to put an end to hate speech and incitement that may contribute to such violations.
This incident comes within a broader context of increasing attacks and hate speech directed against Kurdish civilians in various areas of northern and eastern Syria.
Local sources also documented another incident on 12 March 2026 in the city of Tal Abyad (Girê Spî) in northern Raqqa Governorate, where the car of Kurdish citizen Khalil Mirza was attacked after he entered the city. Additionally, areas in the countryside of Kobani (Ayn al-Arab), the Raqqa countryside, and the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood have witnessed repeated attacks on the property of Kurdish civilians, coinciding with escalating incitement on certain media platforms.
These recurring incidents in Deir ez-Zor, the Kobani countryside, the Raqqa countryside, and Aleppo indicate a worrying escalation in ethnically motivated attacks at a sensitive time when the region is witnessing attempts to restore stability and facilitate the return of some displaced persons to their areas.
