ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The abduction and subsequent brutal murder of a young Kurdish man enlisted in the Syrian army sparked widespread outrage and mass protests in Hasaka and across Kurdish-majority areas in Syria late Thursday.

Sami Sheikhmous Hasso, also known as Sipan Hizni, a former member of the now-dissolved Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and a current fighter within the Syrian army’s Hasaka brigades, was abducted by a group of armed men, allegedly affiliated with an Arab tribe, before being killed, according to local media.

Graphic images depicting Hizni’s body after he was shot repeatedly and had his throat slit quickly circulated on social media, alongside footage showing him being choked and humiliated in captivity prior to his murder.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human rights (SOHR) asserted that the perpetrators are members of the al-Baggara tribe, a prominent Sunni Arab tribe, allegedly in retaliation for killing members of the clan “approximately two years ago.”

The incident sparked mass outrage among Syria’s Kurdish population, describing Hizni’s killing as a continuation of sectarian violations committed against the community by Damascus-aligned factions and tribesmen, despite an ongoing integration agreement.

Footage from the demonstrations showed angry protesters storming the building of the internal security in Hasaka’s Amuda, tearing down the building’s signage and bringing down the Syrian flag.

Hizni’s body was found in the al-Halw village in Sari Kani (Ras al-Ain), according to state media, citing the Hasaka security command, which claimed that the victim was “struck by direct gunfire, resulting in his death at the scene.”

“Based on gathered evidence and preliminary investigation findings, security forces successfully identified the suspect,” the command said, adding that “relevant authorities continue intensive search and investigation operations to apprehend him and complete the investigation.”

Sipan Hemo, Syria’s Deputy Minister of Defense for the Eastern Region, extended his condolences to Hizni’s family over the “brutal and treacherous” murder, while urging against “inflammatory media rhetoric that incites violence and killing,” and calling on the Kurdish population to “exercise patience and restraint.”

“The competent authorities have already arrested a number of those involved and are continuing their efforts to apprehend all the perpetrators, ensuring they face justice and receive a fair trial commensurate with the brutality of the crime committed, in accordance with the law,” said the Kurdish commander.

The development comes despite the announced completion of the integration process between the SDF and Damascus, in line with the January 29 agreement which entailed the incorporation of the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in northeast Syria into the auspices of the Syrian state.

The integration followed a violent military campaign by Damascus and its affiliated factions that led to the deaths of hundreds and saw a myriad of sectarian-induced war crimes committed against the Kurdish community.

Syria has fallen into sectarian conflict on several occasions since Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels overthrew the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, leading Ahmed al-Sharaa to seize the presidency, with the new authorities in Damascus having been repeatedly criticized for failing to protect minorities.