View source for Asayish (North and East Syria)

{{short description|Police force in North-East Syria}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{about|the security forces in North and East Syria|the intelligence & security agency in Kurdistan Region|Asayish (Kurdistan Region)|other uses|Asayish (disambiguation){{!}}Asayish}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Internal Security Forces<br/>Asayish (Asayîş)
| image                         = Manbij_Asayish_Flag.png
| image_size                    = 300
| caption                       = Flag used in the [[Jazira Region|Jazira]], [[Euphrates Region|Euphrates]], and [[Afrin Region]]s<ref name=Conference />
| dates                         = 2012–present
| country                       = [[Syria]]
| allegiance                    = [[Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria]]
*[[Regions of North and East Syria]]
| branch                        =
| type                          = [[Police]]
| role                          = Security and policing
| size                          = c. 15,000<ref name="reconcile">{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/01/turkey-syria-kurds-are-working-to-build-a-state.html |title=Does Syria really want to reconcile with Kurds? |work=[[Al-Monitor]] |author=Fehim Taştekin |date=30 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111042050/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/01/turkey-syria-syriacs-kurds-are-working-to-build-a-state.html |archive-date=11 November 2017}}</ref> <small>(2016)</small>
* [[Jazira Region|Jazira]] Asayish: 10,000
* [[Euphrates Region|Euphrates]] Asayish: 2,000
* [[Afrin Region|Afrin]] Asayish: 3,000
* [[Raqqa Internal Security Forces|Raqqa ISF]]: 1,200
| garrison_label                =
| nickname                      =
| patron                        =
| motto                         =
| colors                        =
| colors_label                  =
| march                         =
| mascot                        =
| allies                        =
| anniversaries                 =
| battles                       = {{Tree list}}
*[[Syrian Civil War]]
**[[Deir ez-Zor clashes (2023)]]
**[[Deir ez-Zor offensive (2024)]]
**[[Operation Dawn of Freedom]]
***[[2024 Manbij offensive]]
{{tree list/end}}
| decorations                   =
| battle_honours                = <!--Commanders-->
| commander1                    = Ciwan Ibrahim<ref name="reconcile" />
| commander1_label              = Chief of Asayish forces
| commander2                    = Brig. Gen. Aba Ali Hassan<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hawarnews.com/12-ألف-عضواً-كانوا-يشرفون-على-حفظ-الأمن-ي/|title=12 thousand members were supervising the maintenance of security on Election Day|work=[[Hawar News Agency]]|date=23 September 2017|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923145044/http://www.hawarnews.com/12-%D8%A3%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%B9%D8%B6%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%B8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%8A/|archive-date=23 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| commander2_label              = Spokesman
| commander3                    =
| commander3_label              =
| notable_commanders            = <!--Insignia-->
| identification_symbol         =
| identification_symbol_label   =
| website                       = http://www.asayish.com/
| Unit Insignia Image           =
}}
[[File:Kurdish YPG Fighters (15943141741).jpg|thumb|Members of the Asayish]]
[[File:Asayish Anti-terror Forces (HAT) attend Bradley Fighting Vehicle and Mortar Range.jpg|thumb|Asayish Anti-Terror Forces (HAT) in [[Al-Hasakah Governorate]] in September 2021]]
The '''Internal Security Forces''',{{Efn|{{langx|ku|Hêza Ewlekariya Hindîrin}}; {{langx|ar|قوى الامن الداخلي|Quwā al-ʾAmn ad-Dāḵilī}}.}} also known as the '''Asayish'''{{Efn|{{langx|ku|Asayîş}}; {{langx|ar|الْأَسَايِش|al-ʾAsāyiš}}; {{langx|syr|ܐܣܐܝܝܫ}}, [[Kurdish languages|Kurdish]] for Security.}} in the [[Jazira Region|Jazira]], [[Euphrates Region|Euphrates]], and [[Afrin Region]]s,<ref name=Conference>{{cite news |last1=ANF |title=Northern Syrian Internal Security Forces hold congress in Raqqa |url=https://anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-northern-syria/northern-syrian-internal-security-forces-held-congress-27973 |access-date=3 May 2019 |work=ANF News |publisher=Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê |date=4 July 2018 |language=en}}</ref> is the internal security and police force in the [[Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria]]. Formed in the early stages of the [[Syrian Civil War]], it had initially been established to police areas controlled by the [[Kurdish Supreme Committee]]. In October 2013, the Asayish claimed to have 4,000 members;<ref name="build bridges">{{cite news|url=http://www.iede.co.uk/news/2013_3209/kurds-build-bridges-last|title=Kurds Build Bridges At Last|date=13 October 2013|publisher=Inter Press Service|access-date=26 February 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006071718/http://www.iede.co.uk/news/2013_3209/kurds-build-bridges-last|url-status=dead}}</ref> by 2017, the number had reportedly risen to over 15,000.<ref name="reconcile" />
== Structure ==
=== Organization ===
According to the [[Constitution of North and East Syria]], policing is the responsibility of the autonomous sub-regions. Overall, the local Asayish forces are composed of 26 official bureaus that aim to provide security and solutions to social problems. The six main units of the Asayish are Checkpoints Administration, Anti-Terror Forces Command ({{langx|ku|Hêzên Antî Teror}}, HAT), Intelligence Directorate, Organized Crime Directorate, Traffic Directorate and Treasury Directorate. By 2016, 218 Asayish centers were established and 385 checkpoints with 10 Asayish members in each checkpoint were set up. 105 Asayish offices provide security against ISIL on the frontlines across the region. Larger cities have general directorates that are responsible for all aspects of security including road controls. Each sub-region has a HAT command and each Asayish center organizes itself autonomously.<ref name="asayish">{{cite news|title=Rojava Asayish: Security institution not above but within the society|url=http://www.anfenglish.com/features/rojava-asayish-security-institution-not-above-but-within-the-society|access-date=2016-06-06|publisher=ANF|date=2016-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924211035/http://www.anfenglish.com/features/rojava-asayish-security-institution-not-above-but-within-the-society|archive-date=24 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Overall chief of the police is the former journalist Ciwan Ibrahim.<ref name="reconcile" />
In the [[Jazira Region]], the Asayish are further complemented by the Assyrian [[Sutoro]] police force, which is organized in every area with Christian population, and provides security and solutions to social problems in collaboration with other Asayish units.<ref name="asayish"/> Though the Sutoro is officially subordinate to the Asayish, and represented on the Asayish executive board, it operates largely autonomous in regard to its internal affairs. Thus, it patrols the Christian neighborhoods of [[Qamishli]] without interference by the Asayish, and when the Sutoro members want to appoint someone, they don't need the approval of the Asayish.<ref name="reconcile" /> The Assyrian [[Khabour Guards]] and [[Nattoreh]] also provide security in towns along the [[Khabur (Euphrates)|Khabur River]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.zamanalwsl.net/news/25221.html|title=Assyrians seek self-management in Hasaka over deal with PYD|author=|work=Zaman al-Wasl|date=13 April 2017|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-date=5 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805222012/https://en.zamanalwsl.net/news/25221.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 17 May 2017, the [[Raqqa Internal Security Forces]] were established for policing in [[Raqqa]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://aranews.net/2017/05/us-led-coalition-trains-raqqa-internal-forces-to-run-post-isis-city/|title=US-led coalition trains Raqqa Internal Forces to run post-ISIS city|author=Wladimir van Wilgenburg|work=[[ARA News]]|date=17 May 2017|access-date=22 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019184751/http://aranews.net/2017/05/us-led-coalition-trains-raqqa-internal-forces-to-run-post-isis-city/|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 25 May 2017, a female branch of the Asayish was established in [[Al-Shaddadah]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://en.hawarnews.com/al-shadadi-women-proud-to-join-women-asayis-forces/ |title=Al-Shadadi women: Proud to join Women Asayîş Forces &#124; ANHA |access-date=29 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528172009/http://en.hawarnews.com/al-shadadi-women-proud-to-join-women-asayis-forces/ |archive-date=28 May 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 4 July 2018, a conference of the Internal Security Forces took place in [[Raqqa]]. At the conference, two flags were adopted for the ISF; one saying only Internal Security Forces in Arabic, used in the [[Regions of North and East Syria|Raqqa, Tabqa, Deir Ezzor, and Manbij regions]], and one saying Asayish as well, used in the [[Regions of North and East Syria|Jazira, Afrin, and Euphrates regions]].<ref name= Conference />
=== Strength, composition and budget ===
The Asayish police has around 15,000 personnel: 10,000 in the [[Jazira Region]], 3,000 in the [[Afrin Region]], and 2,000 in the [[Euphrates Region]]. Ethnically, Kurds dominate the Asayish, though half of the active personnel in Jazira Region is Arab, while around 300 Turkmens have also enlisted, mostly in [[Tell Abyad]]. About 30% of the Asayish are women. Members of the force are paid $120 monthly salaries, which is above the average monthly salaries of Syrian civil servants, so that Asayish employment is rather attractive.<ref name="reconcile" />
=== Involvement in military operations ===
While Asayish is primarily a police, the forces of Asayish were involved in tensions against the [[National Defence Forces (Syria)|National Defense Forces]], a pro-government militia. The tensions led to the [[Battle of al-Hasakah (2016)|Battle of Hasakah, in August 2016]]. Ultimately, the Syrian Arab Army was forced to give up neighborhoods in the city.<ref name="Tensions between Asayish and NDF">{{cite news|title=Kurds clash with Syrian government forces, blurring lines of friend and foe in civil war|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-kurds-hasakeh-snap-story.html|access-date=2017-02-26|work=Los Angeles Times|date=2016-08-22}}</ref> Following rising tensions in the city of Qamishli the Asayish and contingents of its HAT units were embroiled in further conflict with the National Defense Forces leading to the [[Battle of Qamishli (2021)|Battle of Qamishli, in April 2021]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-22|title=Ending clashes in Syria's Qamishli under Russian auspices|url=https://npasyria.com/en/58037/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422075529/https://npasyria.com/en/58037/ |archive-date=22 April 2021 }}</ref>
In the course of the [[Raqqa campaign (2016–present)|Raqqa campaign]], the Asayish established the [[Raqqa Internal Security Forces]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/anti-coalition-trains-policemen-syrias-raqqa-1227633581|title=Anti-IS coalition trains policemen for Syria's Raqqa|work=[[Middle East Eye]]|date=23 May 2017|access-date=10 July 2017}}</ref>
== Gender equality ==
{{further|Jineology}}
[[File:Asayish members in Kobanî.png|thumb|Female members of the Asayish in Kobanî]]
As with other institutions in the autonomous region, the Asayish are striving for a force based on gender equality. An estimated 25% of Asayish members are women, and the local Asayish forces are co-led by a man and woman. In addition to protecting civilians from armed attacks, the Asayish has created a special branch composed solely of women which is dedicated to gender-based violence, family disputes between women and protection of women during protests, and public celebrations. Their objective is to take care of every case in which a woman gets involved, from gender-based violence to a bank robbery.
Female members of the force face additional risk from attacks by radical [[Islamist]]s.<ref name="farhad">{{cite web| url=http://ekurd.net/syrian-kurdish-female-leader-aitan-farhad-about-life-as-an-islam-state-target-2015-04-20 | work=Ekurd Daily | title=Syrian Kurdish female leader Aitan Farhad about life as an Islam State target | first=Sofia | last=Barbarani | date=2015-04-20 | access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref> Some women regard joining the Asayish as an act of personal and societal liberation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Syrian women liberated from Isis are joining the police to protect their city|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/isis-syria-women-liberated-create-police-force-a7359376.html|access-date=2016-10-13|work=The Independent|date=13 October 2016}}</ref>
==Citizen-led policing==
[[File:Flag of Civil Defence Forces (Hêzên Parastina Civakî).png|right|120px|thumb|Flag of Civilian Defence Forces (Hêzên Parastina Civakî, HPC).]]
Throughout the region, the municipal Civilian Defense Forces (HPC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://modernslavery.calpress.org/?p=949|title=Rojava Dispatch Six: Innovations, the Formation of the Hêza Parastina Cewherî (HPC)|publisher=Modern Slavery|access-date=14 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818045008/http://modernslavery.calpress.org/?p=949|archive-date=18 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the regional [[Self-Defense Forces (NES regions)|Self-Defense Forces]] (HXP)<ref>{{cite web|author=Rudaw|url=http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/04062015|title=Rojava defense force draws thousands of recruits|work=Rudaw|date=6 April 2015|access-date=22 June 2015}}</ref> also serve local-level security.<ref name="asayish"/>
[[File:Flag of Women's Civil Defence Forces (Hêzên Parastina Civakî Jin).png|right|120px|thumb|Flag of Women's Civil Defence Forces (Hêzên Parastina Civakî Jin, HPC-Jin). Women's branch of Civilian Defence Forces.]]
According to the pro-PYD ''Peace in Kurdistan Campaign'', the region's government is working towards providing all citizens with Asayish training. The ultimate hope is that once the vast majority of citizens have been trained, security can be maintained amongst the citizens and the Asayish itself can be dissolved.<ref name="rev.daily">{{cite web|title=A revolution in daily life|url=http://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2014/12/22/a-revolution-in-daily-life/|publisher=Peace in Kurdistan|access-date=11 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117064550/https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2014/12/22/a-revolution-in-daily-life/|archive-date=17 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Training==
In addition to the use of weapons, Asayish members are also trained in "mediation, ethics, the history of Kurdistan, imperialism, the psychological war waged by popular culture and the importance of education and self-critique."<ref name="rev.daily" /> The Internal Security Forces receive training and equipment from the US Department of Defense, including Hêzên Anti-Terror (HAT) who act as the Internal Security Forces’ special forces, carrying out [[counterinsurgency]] operations such as [[High-value target|High Value Target (HVT)]] raids<ref>{{Cite web |last=Defense |first=Department of |date=March 2023 |title=Justification for FY 2024 COUNTER-ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND SYRIA (ISIS) TRAIN AND EQUIP FUND (CTEF) |url=https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2024/FY2024_CTEF_J-Book.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204060024/https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2024/FY2024_CTEF_J-Book.pdf |archive-date=4 December 2023 |access-date=4 December 2023 |website=Comptroller.defense.gov}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Commons category|Asayish (Syria)}}
*[[Raqqa Internal Security Forces]] - the security force in [[Raqqa]]
*[[Sutoro]] – complementary Assyrian police force in the [[Jazira Region]]
*[[Anti-Terror Units]]
*[[Law enforcement in Syria]]
*[[Hêzên Komandos]] - SDF Commando units
==References==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Rojava topics}}
{{Syrian Civil War}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Anti-government factions of the Syrian civil war]]
[[Category:Kurdish organisations]]
[[Category:Politics of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in Syria]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Syria]]
[[Category:Gendarmerie]]