ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) chief Mazloum Abdi on Monday condemned the "assault" displaced Kurdish families were subjected to upon their return to Sari Kani (Ras al-Ayn), vowing "to hold accountable" the perpetrators and to protect returnees.

Earlier on Monday, preparations were made for the return of over 400 families to Sari Kani (Ras al-Ayn) from Hasaka’s Washokani camp after seven years of displacement.

Shortly after the convoy's arrival in Sari Kani, footage circulating online showed the returnees being attacked by armed men. The developments were followed by several gatherings in the city, with Kurds expressing frustration over the incident.

“We condemn the assault to which the displaced Kurdish families were subjected during their return to Sari Kani (Ras al-Ayn), which was carried out in coordination with the Syrian state,” Abdi said in a post on X.

Officials in Rojava, in coordination with the relevant authorities, is working to “ensure the protection of returning displaced civilians and hold accountable anyone proven to be involved in the assault,” he added.

Regarding the gatherings, the SDF chief said, “We understand the angry reactions in the Kurdish street in response to this assault,” while stressing that “we call on our people to exercise self-restraint, refrain from being drawn into any irresponsible acts and preserve our civil and security institutions.”

As over 400 families returned to Sari Kani (Ras al-Ayn) from Hasaka’s Washokani camp on Monday after seven years of displacement, video footage showed the Rojava returnees being attacked by armed men upon arrival. pic.twitter.com/c7dq1Sl8JA

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Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in January reached an agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian security apparatus on the heels of a Syrian military invasion of Rojava that brought about an end to autonomous rule.

A key point in the landmark agreement was the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), including Kurdish civilians who were displaced in Turkish operations across Afrin and in Sari Kani and Gire Spi (Tal Abyad) between 2018 and 2019.

Shortly after, Syria’s Deputy Defense Minister for the Eastern Region, Sipan Hemo, also condemned the assault targeting the IDP families upon their return, the Rojava-based Ronahi TV reported.

“The perpetrators will be brought under prosecution,” he said, adding that “no one can block the return of the displaced.”

In March, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa agreed to form an official committee tasked with ensuring the return of IDPs from Afrin and Sari Kani to their cities of origin.

The first batch of 400 displaced families returned to Afrin in March, with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) describing the move as a “positive step,” noting, however, that it does not rule out the need for a broader solution to ensure the return of all original inhabitants under a legal framework.

The SDC stressed that resolving the Afrin issue requires ending all Turkish and Ankara-backed military presence and “removing all traces of the occupation.”