Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Pro-Kurd Protests Clash with Police in Turkey
There were big protests in Turkey near the border with Syria.
People were upset because the Syrian army was attacking Kurdish areas.
The protesters wanted to show support for the Kurds in Syria.
The police used tear gas and water cannons to stop the protests.
Some people even tried to cross the border into Syria.
The Syrian government said they would stop fighting for four days, but the protests continued.
Many people were arrested in Turkey for being involved in the protests.
The Turkish government supports the Syrian army's actions, but many Kurds in Turkey are very angry about it.
The Kurdish group PKK said they would do whatever it takes to help the Kurds in Syria.
The protests might make it harder for Turkey and the PKK to make peace.
Clashes erupted between pro-Kurdish protesters and police in Nusaybin, Turkey, near the Syrian border.
Protesters, including DEM party supporters, marched towards the border, leading to confrontations with police who used tear gas and water cannons.
Syria's defense ministry announced a four-day ceasefire with Kurdish forces, starting at 8 pm (17H00 GMT).
77 people were detained and 35 imprisoned in Turkey for 'provocations' linked to the clashes in Syria.
The PKK vowed to support Syrian Kurds 'whatever the cost,' raising concerns about Turkey's peace process with the group.
- Who
- Pro-Kurdish demonstrators, Turkish police, Syrian forces, Kurdish-led SDF, PKK, DEM party
- What
- Clashes between protesters and police, Syrian military offensive against Kurdish forces, protests in solidarity with Syrian Kurds
- When
- Clashes erupted on Tuesday, ceasefire announced on Tuesday, offensive launched nearly two weeks ago
- Where
- Nusaybin, Turkey (border with Syria), major Turkish cities, Istanbul, Ankara
- Why
- Protesters angered by Syrian military offensive targeting Kurds, solidarity with Syrian Kurdish community, Turkey's support for the offensive
- Location
- Nusaybin, Turkey (border with Syria)
- Protesters
- Pro-Kurdish demonstrators, including DEM party supporters
- Police Action
- Tear gas and water cannons used to disperse protesters
- Ceasefire Announcement
- Syria's defense ministry announced a four-day ceasefire with Kurdish forces
- Arrests
- 77 detained, 35 imprisoned in Turkey for 'provocations'
- International Response
- Turkish and US officials held talks on Syria
- PKK Statement
- PKK vowed to support Syrian Kurds 'whatever the cost'
- DEM Accusation
- DEM accused Ankara of 'pure hypocrisy' in treating Kurds