Kurdish National Council Statement Marking the 22nd Anniversary of the March 12 Uprising

ARK News.. The Kurdish National Council in Syria issued a statement marking the 22nd anniversary of the historic Qamishlo Uprising, emphasizing that one of the most important lessons of the uprising was the spirit of unity demonstrated by Kurdish masses and political forces across different regions—an unity that thwarted attempts by the regime to incite division between Kurds and other national components.

Below is the translated text of the statement:

On March 12, 2004, the Kurdish people in Syria marked a significant milestone in their struggle for freedom and dignity when they rose up against repression and tyranny following the massacre carried out by the security apparatus of the Assad regime in the city of Qamishlo after incidents during a football match at the municipal stadium. The attack targeted unarmed civilians and ignited widespread protests that spread across Kurdish regions.

The uprising was not a passing event; rather, it represented a clear expression of rejection of discriminatory and exclusionary policies and a firm declaration of the Kurdish people’s commitment to their national and democratic rights within a free, democratic, and decentralized Syria.

As the Kurdish National Council in Syria commemorates this historic uprising—now recognized as the Day of the Kurdish Martyr—it affirms that the sacrifices of its martyrs remain a sacred trust. They are martyrs of freedom and dignity for all Syrians, as their uprising fundamentally rejected the system of authoritarianism and dictatorship that Syrians of all communities endured.

The council reiterated its commitment to rejecting hate speech, strengthening the values of citizenship, and promoting healthy social relations among the components of the Syrian people. It also emphasized dialogue and negotiation as the path for addressing national issues, away from violence and armed conflict, with the aim of building a pluralistic, democratic, and decentralized Syrian state that guarantees the rights of all its components under a constitution ensuring partnership and equality.

Politically, the council called on the transitional administration in Damascus to open a serious dialogue with representatives of the Kurdish people in order to address the Kurdish issue in Syria as a fundamental national question and to remove the consequences of decades-long discriminatory policies against Kurds.

The council also stressed the need to end the effects of demographic change and to guarantee the safe and dignified return of displaced people to their homes in Sari Kaniye, Gire Spi, and Afrin, as well as to reveal the fate of the missing and release detainees.

The statement emphasized that one of the most important lessons of the March uprising remains the spirit of unity among the Kurdish masses and political forces, which at the time thwarted regime attempts to sow discord between Kurds and other national components. In this context, the council reaffirmed the importance of Kurdish unity and strengthening it in line with the current developments facing the country and Kurdish regions, while preventing any single party from monopolizing decisions regarding the future of the Kurdish people.

In conclusion, the council called on the Kurdish public to commemorate the martyrs of the uprising in a manner befitting their sacrifices—by lighting candles on the evening of March 11, observing five minutes of silence at 11:00 a.m. on March 12 in public spaces, and holding commemorative events in their honor.

Glory and eternity to the martyrs of the March 12 uprising and to the martyrs of freedom and dignity.
Shame and disgrace to the killers and criminals.

General Secretariat
Kurdish National Council in Syria
March 11, 2026

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