The Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) released a statement marking November 1, International Day of Solidarity with Kobane.
The MSD statement on Saturday includes the following:
“On the first of November each year, Syrians — along with freedom-loving people around the world — observe the International Day of Solidarity with Kobane. This day commemorates a city whose people, through their sacrifice, shaped a new chapter in the struggle for freedom and human dignity.
On this occasion, we recall the epic resistance of our people in Kobane in 2014 against the terrorist organization, the Islamic State (ISIS). The small city emerged as a global symbol of defiance and triumph over the forces of darkness. It became a beacon that illuminated the path of struggle for dignity, democracy, and the principles of coexistence in Syria and the wider region.
The victory of Kobane marked a decisive turning point in the fight against terrorism. It proved that the will of free peoples can overcome even the most brutal forms of extremism.
The battle of Kobane was not merely a defense of territory; it was a defense of human values and a democratic national vision founded on equality and pluralism. It embodied the determination of Syrians to build a homeland that embraces all its citizens without discrimination. As a result of that struggle, the experience of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) emerged — a pioneering model of community governance based on justice and participation, and a genuine framework for uniting the national will in the face of both terrorism and tyranny.
As the Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) commemorates this historic epic, it reaffirms its steadfast commitment to pursuing a democratic and decentralized national project. This project guarantees justice, equal citizenship, and the preservation of Syria’s unity on the foundations of freedom and diversity. The MSD also renews its pledge to safeguard the hard-won achievements secured through the sacrifices of the martyrs, and to continue working—through genuine Syrian-led dialogue—toward a comprehensive political solution that reflects the aspirations of all Syrians for a state governed by law and institutions.
At a time when political and security challenges continue to persist, the threat of terrorism in all its forms still endangers Syria’s stability and unity. In this context, the regions of Northeast Syria play a vital role in safeguarding security and stability. They do so through the model of democratic AANES, which has proven effective in preserving coexistence and strengthening the spirit of citizenship and national responsibility.
The MSD pays its highest tribute to the martyrs of Kobane and to all those who sacrificed their lives for Syria’s freedom and unity. Furthermore, the MSD calls upon all Syrians, across all communities and identities, to uphold the spirit of solidarity and resistance embodied by Kobane, and to work together toward a democratic future that honors these sacrifices and safeguards the dignity of both the homeland and its people.”