ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An alliance of eight Syrian Kurdish political parties on Saturday called for a “transparent” and “independent” investigation into the deaths of nine people and injuries to 18 others during unrest at a prison in the Kurdish city of Kobane in northern Syria.
In a statement, the alliance, known as the Parties of the Kurdish Consultative Meeting in Syria, called for “a transparent and independent investigation to uncover the circumstances of the incident, determine responsibility, and hold accountable anyone found to be involved.”
Calling the deaths and arrests “a grave development," the parties urged “the relevant governmental and security authorities to assume their full responsibilities, refrain from provocation and the use of force… and open serious channels of dialogue to address the root causes of unrest.”
The unrest broke out following demonstrations over the killing of Sipan Hizni, a Kurdish member of a Syrian army brigade comprising fighters from the now-dissolved Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The government deployed additional security forces to Kobane, in Aleppo province, and detained several protesters.
Hizni was brutally killed near Hasaka city earlier in the week after being abducted by armed men believed to belong to a prominent Arab clan, sparking widespread public anger in northeast Syria (Rojava) after state authorities identified the main suspect but failed to arrest him.
Demonstrators who were taken to the Kobani facility reportedly learned they would be transferred to government-controlled facilities in Aleppo, leading to unrest that escalated into a deadly fire that killed nine and injured 18 others.
The alliance urged residents “to exercise restraint, demonstrate the highest degrees of awareness and responsibility,” protect public and private property, and prevent anger from turning into violence.
Syrian Interior Ministry's internal security forces said Saturday that "an investigation has been opened to uncover the circumstances of the incident, assign responsibility, and take the necessary legal action against anyone proven to be involved."
The ministry added that "the administration of Ayn al-Arab (Kobane) prison has not yet been handed over to official government authorities, as the transfer process remains subject to a legal and judicial framework," emphasizing that "the prison file is still being processed by the competent judicial authorities, pending the issuance of the required decisions."
RELATED: Syria investigates deadly Kobane prison fire following unrest: Ministry
