Kurds riot against Syrian support for Turkey's planned offensive
NICOSIA — The large Kurdish minority in Syria has launched a wave of
unrest to protest Turkey's plans to invade Iraq.
Kurdish sources said protests have erupted in Kurdish towns in
northeastern Syria to protest Turkey's threats to invade neighboring
northern Iraq and eradicate the Kurdish Workers Party. The sources said the
protesters expressed anger over Syria's support for Ankara.
In some cases, Syrian security forces opened fire against the
demonstrators, Middle East Newsline reported. At least one Kurd was killed and five others were injured in
a protest by 200 people
in Qamishli on Nov. 2.
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The sources said Kurds hurled rocks toward the Syrian troops. The troops
were said to have responded with live fire and teargas.
Qamishli was said to have turned into a hotbed of Kurdish nationalism.
In 2004, dozens of Kurds were killed in anti-government clashes in the city
that spread throughout northeastern Syria.
The sources said Syrian forces have been rushed to Qamishli to quell the
violence. The funeral of the Kurdish victim on Nov. 3 proceeded without
incident.
Unrest was also reported in Aleppo, Syria's second largest city.
Witnesses said police prevented Kurdish demonstrations against Turkey.
