• The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) has called for a protest on Sakarya Street in Ankara at 18:00 (local time) on January 28.
• The demonstration is intended to condemn Turkish military actions in Syria, which protesters view as a “crime against humanity.”

Pro-Kurdish activists periodically hold protests to condemn Turkey’s backing of the Syrian National Army (SNA) in its fight against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria. The protesters denounce that this has caused casualties among the Kurdish civilians and emergency worker in northeastern Syria. This protest comes also amid broader efforts targeting Turkey’s pro-Kurdish opposition, particularly the DEM party, often labeled by the government as the political arm of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Coupled, this is likely to heighten anti-government sentiment, reinforcing perceptions that the government is attempting to undermine pro-Kurdish influence both within Turkey and abroad. FORECAST: The slated protest is likely to attract a crowd in the low to mid dozens. A heightened security presence is likely due to the anti-government nature of the slated protest. While the demonstration is likely to remain peaceful, scuffles between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out. Should protesters be perceived as unruly, security forces may resort to arrests or use force to disperse the gathering. Traffic disruptions are also expected in the vicinity of the protest site as the demonstration unfolds.

Those operating or residing in Ankara during the evening hours of January 28 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of Sakarya Street due to the slated protest and the associated risk of unrest.