A protest in Rusholme, Manchester, turned hostile on January 20, 2026, as hundreds gathered to demonstrate against the ongoing conflict in Syria. Initially beginning peacefully in the city center, the demonstration escalated into violence as protesters moved to Wilmslow Road, prompting significant concern among local business owners and residents.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the protest was largely organized in response to tensions between government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The situation deteriorated when a large group of protesters began damaging property and engaging in confrontations with police. Reports indicate that items were thrown at officers, and several businesses experienced vandalism.
Inside the A&A pharmacy, staff reported seeing protesters wielding Kurdish flags. One restaurant owner, wishing to remain anonymous, described how demonstrators entered his premises and forcibly removed a Palestinian flag displayed in the window, leading to broken glass as they kicked at the restaurant’s windows. He noted that the protest was linked to broader international issues rather than local concerns, stating, “There was a big crowd, but you get protests everywhere. Sometimes they get a bit hostile, like a football crowd.”
Staff at Chandni Jewellers expressed their shock at the sheer volume of people involved. “It was crazy, swarms of people everywhere,” one employee noted. “We actually had to drop the shutters; it was too many people.” They, too, attributed the unrest to events occurring in the Middle East.
Employees at Nirali Desserts locked their doors out of fear for their safety. One worker recounted seeing groups carrying Kurdish flags take over the road, stating, “Some were fighting but after a while police came and calmed things down. We were scared to see people fighting outside.”
To manage the situation, GMP deployed a riot van to block off the road, but reported that no arrests were made during the chaos. The police are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify individuals involved in the disorder. Superintendent Stephen Wiggins of GMP’s City of Manchester district commented, “After being made aware of the protest, officers facilitated and supported protesters as they walked towards Manchester City Centre. This was largely peaceful; however, a group of protesters decided to engage in disorder and became hostile towards officers.”
He emphasized the importance of maintaining order, stating, “Where possible we will help to facilitate peaceful protests, however we will take robust enforcement against those that engage in disorder and create disruption for our communities.” Officers implemented a dispersal order as they worked to manage the crowd, which had largely dispersed by around 22:00.
The backdrop of this unrest is the ongoing conflict in Syria. Following years of civil war, the country has been grappling with the aftermath of political upheaval. In late 2024, the long-serving leader Bashar Al-Assad fled the country, leading to a power shift. Ahmed Al-Sharaa, a former jihadist, is now the country’s president and is working to consolidate control.
In recent developments, the Syrian military announced a new four-day ceasefire with Kurdish-led forces after a previous agreement fell through. The two sides have been engaged in clashes for weeks, complicating efforts to merge their military forces. Notably, the al-Hol camp—housing thousands associated with the Islamic State militant group—has seen significant security concerns, with reports of detainees escaping amid the unrest.
As the situation evolves, GMP encourages anyone with information regarding the protest to reach out through their reporting channels, referencing log 2693 from January 20, 2026.
