The protesters, mostly from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, chanted slogans against the United States.

They condemned Washington for betraying its long-time Kurdish allies in northeastern Syria by handing control to the new Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani).

The demonstrators said that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), also known as "Qasd," withdrew from key areas such as Raqqa, the Omar oil field, and the Conoco gas field in Deir ez-Zor due to a secret deal between the US and the new Syrian authorities.

This withdrawal followed intense clashes with Syrian government forces and resulted in the loss of significant territories previously under Kurdish control.

The protests reflect growing anger among Kurds toward US foreign policy in the region, which they have repeatedly accused of betraying Kurdish allies.

The demonstrations occurred shortly after US special envoy Thomas Barrack met in Erbil on January 17, 2026, with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi and Iraqi Kurdish leaders to discuss the Syrian situation.

Many Kurds view such meetings as insufficient and merely symbolic.

In a related development, Kurds in Turkey staged protests in several cities following the recent clashes and SDF withdrawals in northern and eastern Syria.

Protests took place in cities including Diyarbakir, Batman, Van, and Istanbul, where demonstrators demanded support for Syrian Kurds.

These rallies, described as protest marches, led to confrontations with police in some areas.

Reports indicate that the pro-Kurdish Democracy and Equality Party of Peoples sought permission for the marches but was denied by Turkey's Interior Ministry and police.

Some party representatives joined the demonstrators.

Police used tear gas against protesters and arrested several participants, including 40 in Van province.

Protesters echoed the view that the SDF's withdrawal from key sites like Raqqa, the Omar oil field, and the Conoco gas field stemmed from a behind-the-scenes US deal with the new Syrian government.

This retreat came after heavy fighting with Syrian government forces and caused major territorial losses for Kurdish-controlled areas.