The Syria Newroz Killings were attacks on Kurds in Raqqa and Qamishli in northern Syria during Newroz, the Kurdish New Year celebrations.[1]
The first incident took place on 20 March 2008 in Qamishli, al-Hasakah Governorate, according to Human Rights Watch,[2] Syrian security forces opened fire at Kurds celebrating the festival of Newroz. The shooting left three people dead and at least five injured. The city was renowned for throwing a large Christmas parade every year in December, and celebrating Newroz festival by a large crowd every year in March.[3]
The second incident involved a Syrian police attack on the Kurdish population in Raqqa city, who had gathered to celebrate the Kurdish new year (Newroz festival) in March 2010. The attack by Syrian police left 2 or 3 people killed, one of them a 15-year-old girl, and more than 50 people wounded.[4]