Why Peacebuilders Must Stand with Northeast Syria Now

Turkey's bombing campaign threatens to unravel Northeast Syria's rare model of democratic, inclusive governance. Peacebuilders must act now.

In Northeast Syria, a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as conflict and targeted attacks continue to devastate the region. Turkey's relentless bombings have pushed millions to the brink of survival, leaving communities without food, water, electricity, fuel, and healthcare. Caught in this crossfire, civilians are struggling to meet their most basic needs. For those who believe in peacebuilding and supporting stable, resilient societies, the crisis in Northeast Syria is an urgent call to action.

Northeast Syria: A Model of Democratic Governance and Religious Freedom

Northeast Syria, governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), offers a rare model of democratic governance and religious freedom in the Middle East. This governance system emphasizes inclusivity, gender equality, and freedom of belief. With representation from Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Yazidis, and others, AANES promotes coexistence and mutual respect. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recognized its commitment to religious freedom — a principle far from the norm in this region.

However, the significance of Northeast Syria goes beyond its internal governance. This area is on the frontlines of countering radical Islamist movements and stands as a geopolitical barrier to Iran's ambitions of establishing a "land bridge" across the Middle East.

Fighting ISIS: A Role that Turkey Refused to Play

In the early stages of the international coalition's fight against ISIS, Turkey — despite its NATO status and strategic position — refused to engage. As a result, the coalition turned to alternative partners, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance primarily composed of Kurdish, Christian and Arab fighters, emerged as the most reliable force. The SDF's commitment and battlefield successes led to substantial support from the coalition, including air support, training, and equipment.

The SDF was instrumental in driving ISIS out of northeastern Syria, preventing a resurgence of extremism in the region. The peace and stability the SDF brought to this region is a testament to their effectiveness and to the potential of Northeast Syria's unique governance model. Yet today, these achievements are at risk of being dismantled.

Preventing Turkey's Narrative from Confusing the Issue

Turkey has used a narrative conflating Kurdish communities in Syria with the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), a group engaged in conflict within Turkey, to justify its military operations. This framing is deeply misleading and dangerous, as it blurs the distinction between the Kurdish-led AANES in Syria, which is focused on building stability and governance, and the PKK's separate agenda in Turkey. The SDF and the AANES are not aligned with the PKK's operations, and Turkey's claims only harm the communities in Northeast Syria, where civilians bear the brunt of indiscriminate bombings and essential infrastructure destruction.

This misleading narrative must be confronted. The international community, including the United States, should distinguish the distinct Kurdish and multi-ethnic leadership in Northeast Syria from the PKK and take steps to prevent Turkey's military campaign from further destabilizing the region. For peacebuilders, pushing back against this destructive narrative is essential to ensuring that indiscriminate violence does not continue under the guise of counter-terrorism.

Geopolitics and the Iranian Threat

Geopolitically, Northeast Syria is critical. Its position intersects with Iran's ambition to establish a land corridor from Tehran through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon, facilitating support for Hezbollah and other aligned groups. The presence of the AANES and the SDF in this region is a significant obstacle to Iran's plans, disrupting Tehran's efforts to create a continuous corridor of influence across the Middle East. By supporting Northeast Syria, peacebuilders also help to counterbalance Iran's ambitions and stabilize a region prone to proxy wars and regional power struggles.

Why Peacebuilders Must Act Now

The stakes could not be higher. Without support, the humanitarian disaster in Northeast Syria will lead to further displacement, destabilizing neighboring countries and potentially igniting a renewed refugee crisis. Already home to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people, Northeast Syria faces an exodus of people if the situation worsens, straining resources across the region and affecting countries as far away as Europe.

Supporting Northeast Syria today is essential to prevent a crisis tomorrow. Peacebuilders, who believe in protecting communities and supporting resilience, must rally to provide financial support for emergency medical care, clean water distribution, and livelihood projects. Humanitarian support is urgently needed on the ground, but it must be sustained by international advocacy that pressures Turkey to halt its attacks on civilians and respect Northeast Syria's right to self-governance and stability.

The Role of Women and Local Leaders

The governance model in Northeast Syria is distinguished by its emphasis on women's participation and inclusive decision-making. This region is a pioneering force for women in governance, with numerous women in leadership roles. Empowering local leaders and preserving the progress they have made strengthens the foundation for long-term peace, not only in Syria but also in regions facing similar challenges. Northeast Syria's model of governance and its efforts to build community resilience are, in many ways, a blueprint for peacebuilding in other MENA conflict zones.

The Call to Action

The international community must not look away. The plight of Northeast Syria may feel distant, but it represents universal principles — the right to live with dignity, to build peace, and to exist without fear of violence. As peacebuilders, our commitment must extend to these communities, who continue to strive for stability and hope amid unimaginable hardship.

By standing with Northeast Syria, we affirm our values, support a region with extraordinary potential, and contribute to a vision of peace that transcends borders. Now is the time to act. Peacebuilding is not just about stopping conflict; it is about supporting those on the frontlines of resilience and change.