ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Protests in Syria’s Hasaka province escalated into clashes and attacks on Kurdish symbols in recent days, leaving several people injured and prompting counter-protests by Kurdish residents and calls from officials against violence.

Tensions rose on Thursday when pro-government groups chanted pro-Damascus slogans and called for the full restoration of state sovereignty over the province. The groups clashed with security forces ahead of a state flag-raising ceremony, followed by widespread removal and destruction of Kurdish symbolism across the city of Hasaka.

Kurdish residents subsequently held counter-protests. Footage circulating on social media shows security forces forcibly dispersing Kurdish protesters by firing into the air, with reports that live ammunition was used.

The province’s internal security command warned on Thursday against carrying weapons during protests, saying it “will not tolerate any violations or transgressions, and will take the necessary legal measures against violators.”

Pro-government protests continued into Friday, with further attacks on Kurdish symbols.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Friday that three Kurdish residents and a member of the security forces were injured during protests in Hasaka, while other security personnel were assaulted. Kurdish outlet Hawar News Agency (ANHA) reported that three civilians were injured after “gunmen opened fire on them” as they traveled by car through the city.

SOHR also reported that movement restrictions had been imposed in several neighborhoods as security forces sought to prevent protesters from reaching Kurdish-majority areas.

Hasaka Governor Noureddin Issa Ahmed called for the demonstrations to remain peaceful in a Friday post on X.

“We must all maintain the peaceful nature of these demonstrations. Vandalism or engaging in confrontations does not serve your cause; rather, it distracts from your legitimate demands and harms the security of society,” Ahmed said.

“Expressing opinions and demanding rights is a legitimate right guaranteed by law, and we listen to your voices with the utmost respect and appreciation,” Ahmed added, while saying, “Let us unite to deny any party the opportunity to exploit your emotions and drag the country into chaos or violence.”

Hasaka Deputy Governor Abbas al-Hussein, who is affiliated with Damascus, described the demonstrations as legitimate. The protests “are peaceful and a legitimate right for all,” he said late Friday, adding that the province “witnessed limited security tensions that we are working to monitor and contain responsibly,” according to Syrian state broadcaster.

The unrest comes despite the announced completion of the integration process between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – which previously controlled northeast Syria (Rojava) including Hasaka – and Damascus. The process followed a January 29 agreement providing for the incorporation of the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in Rojava into the Syrian state.

The agreement followed a military campaign by Damascus and affiliated factions in January that killed hundreds of people and saw numerous sectarian-related war crimes committed against the Kurdish community.

Former SDF chief Mazloum Abdi, who was later appointed an advisor to Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, addressed residents of Tal Tamr in Hasaka province on Friday.

“We will not take a step backwards. We will not allow the creation of strife, and we will block the path of those who try to create strife among the components of the region, because we believe in peace and work for it,” Abdi said Friday, according to ANHA.