With the return of calm, about fifty vehicles belonging to the STG’s i Internal Security Forces withdrew from the city of Heseke towards Raqqa, after they had been brought in to support the local Internal Security Forces in maintaining security in Heseke.

After events escalated, security forces used tear gas to disperse the group, as demonstrators attempted to reach Kurdish-majority neighborhoods, which would have led to a clash between the two sides, amid escalating tensions since the announcement of the integration process.

Several protestors destroyed a plaque of a Kurdish woman fighter's braided hair. Ruksen Mohamed, YPJ spokesperson, claimed: "Yesterday's attack...which targeted the plaque of the braided hair..." was "an expression of an aggressive mentality seeking to destabilize the region."

On Heseke's al-Nashwa Bridge, activists spotted new grafitti depicting the flag of the Islamic State (ISIS), while the participants in the demonstration were present on the bridge.

Internal Security Forces intervened to disperse rioting during the demonstration and prevent it from reaching the Kurdish-Majority neighborhoods in the north of the city.

In the morning, with hundreds of individuals gathered with Syrian flags, as well as Islamic symbols, chanting pro-STG slogans. Tensions escalated after a group from the Ghwayran neighborhood of Heseke joined in the demonstration.

[THREAD] Demonstrations were held in Heseke city on Friday, which reportedly escalated into rioting, and notably vandalism of Kurdish symbols. In addition to locals the protest allegedly involved participants who travelled from Shaddadi, and Deir ez-Zor.

October 9 marked the anniversary of the beginning of Turkey's 2019 military operation occupying Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ayn) and Tel Abyad (Gire Spi) and the displacement of approx. 200,000. @RojavaIC spoke with a displaced woman returning home on Oct. 5: youtu.be/N47nINmQ8ow

"I have four children, and I hope that our return home will be the beginning of a safe and stable life for us and our children." Message us at @RojavaIC for a statement, access to full translated interviews, photos & videos.

"I have been living in Washokani camp for 7 years, and I hope that all displaced people and those living abroad will be able to return safely to their families & homes. I wish all our Syrian brothers and sisters peace, and I wish the rising generation happy and blessed days..."

[THREAD] Mahmoud Abdul Aziz Mukhaiber, an IDP from al-Masjan village near Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ayn) spoke to @RojavaIC saying: "I feel immense joy at returning to my home. We all want to return to our homes safe and sound, and we wish everyone health and wellbeing..."

Please reach out to @RojavaIC for a statement, access to full length interviews, or request use of our photos and videos of the convoy. Discover more about the situation of IDPs from Sere Kaniye & Gire Spi (Tel Abyad) read our dossier below: rojavainformationcenter.org/…

Safety is a prevailing concern, this was demonstrated as aid groups provided games, comic books and reading material for children warning them how to avoid mines, IEDs and other explosive devices.

On August 10, a previous convoy of 400 families reported being attacked with vehicles being damaged & individuals harassed and prevented from entering their homes. Returnees speaking to @RojavaIC shared hopes that these events would not be repeated & they would arrive safely.

The @RojavaIC on the ground team spoke to many civilians who shared that their homes had either been destroyed or occupied in their absence, with those currently occupying their homes demanding large sums of money to leave.

For 7 years after Turkey's Operation Peace Spring IDP families have resided in camps such as camp Washokani & Sere Kaniye as well as school buildings emptied to house the approx. 200,000 displaced.

Yesterday, Oct. 5 another convoy of internally displaced persons (IDPs) set off from Heseke to the countryside of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ayn). The convoy was reported to contain over 500 families, the majority of which were Arab though exact demographics have yet to be confirmed.

The convoy of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Sere Kaniye are now schedule to return Monday, Oct. 5. They will gather in Heseke in the morning before departing for Sere Kaniye.

Learn more about ethnic and religious communities in North and East Syria below: rojavainformationcenter.org/…

The @RojavaIC team visited the Armenian Catholic Church in Qamishlo this week, where individuals expressed concern regarding safety as well as declining numbers in the Christian population.