Rights groups seek probe after Kurdish fighter thrown in Aleppo

The throwing of a Kurdish girl from a building by Sharaa’s Islamic forces in Aleppo’s Kurdish districts highlights the true nature of this new Syrian government and so-called army, January 2026. Photo: iKurd.net/video/X

Syrian rights groups urge probe into abuses in Aleppo

BEIRUT,— Syrian human rights groups are calling for an urgent investigation after a video showed a fighter linked to Syrian government Islamist militias throwing the body of a Kurdish female fighter from a damaged building in Aleppo during clashes in the city’s northern Kurdish districts.

The footage, circulating on social media over the weekend, drew condemnation from Syrian and international monitors, who said it reflects serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The incident occurred in the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh, which came under government control after days of fighting.

Government Islamist forces secured the districts on Saturday following clashes with Kurdish armed groups that left dozens dead.

According to local sources, Kurdish fighters were evacuated to Kurdish administered areas. The fighting erupted as talks to integrate Kurdish forces into state security stalled.

In the video, a uniformed man is seen standing on the second floor of a damaged building before throwing the Kurdish female fighter’s body into the street below.

Other armed men shout religious slogans, including “Allahu akbar,” and insult the dead woman. Kurdish officials said the incident took place in Sheikh Maqsud.

Syrian government Islamist militant abuses a Kurdish female fighter in Aleppo, Syria, January 2026. Photo: iKurd.net/screengrab/video/X

Rohlat Afrin, head of the Women’s Protection Units under the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, told AFP that the woman was called Deniz

She said Deniz, a member of Kurdish internal security forces, was killed defending the building during an assault by government Islamist militias.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Verify-sy fact checking platform said they authenticated the video. Both organizations said the individuals involved were members of the Syrian army and allied Islamist militias under government command.

The Syrian Network called for an immediate, serious, independent investigation and urged military authorities to issue public orders prohibiting any conduct violating the dignity of the dead, including abuse or mutilation.

Another video reviewed by rights groups shows a male Kurdish fighter’s body being dragged down a staircase using a rope around the legs, while fighters shout insults. Kurdish forces later identified the man as one of their members.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the incidents as shocking violations by Syrian government Islamist militias. The Britain-based monitor reported cases of summary executions and abuse of corpses and called for an independent United Nations commission of inquiry.

Mohammad al Abdallah, executive director of the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre, said the acts in the videos could amount to war crimes under international law.

According to the Observatory, at least 45 civilians were killed in the clashes, along with roughly 60 fighters from both sides. Syrian government jihadi forces have also been accused of abuses against Alawite and Druze communities during past sectarian violence.

(With files from AFP | Agencies)