Business owners along the Curry Mile in Manchester expressed shock after a protest turned violent on January 20, 2026. Initially beginning as a peaceful demonstration related to the ongoing conflict in Syria, the situation escalated as hundreds of protesters clashed with law enforcement, resulting in property damage and disorder.
According to the Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the protest started in the city centre and made its way to Wilmslow Road in Rusholme. While GMP initially described the demonstration as “largely peaceful,” it quickly deteriorated when a significant group of protesters began damaging vehicles and property and directed hostility towards officers.
Witnesses reported seeing individuals carrying Kurdish flags, and one car was vandalized while a nearby restaurant suffered broken windows. The owner of the restaurant, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted that protesters entered his establishment and forcibly removed a Palestinian flag displayed in the window. He described the chaotic scene, stating, “One of my staff went out to try and get it back and they got quite hostile and rushed at him. Then they smashed the windows by kicking at them.”
A staff member from Chandni Jewellers shared their surprise at the unfolding events, saying, “It was crazy, there were swarms of people. We actually had to drop the shutters; it was too many people.” Others, including staff at Nirali Desserts, locked their doors out of fear, with one employee stating, “I was working inside and saw a lot of people coming along the road carrying the Kurdish flag. They seemed to take over the road.”
In response to the escalating situation, GMP deployed a riot van to block off the road and restore order. 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.”
No arrests were made during the incident, although police are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify those responsible for the violence. Superintendent Wiggins emphasized, “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.”
The protest is believed to be connected to the ongoing turmoil in Syria, where the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—primarily composed of the Kurdish community—are involved in conflict with government troops loyal to President Bashar Al-Assad. Following a lengthy civil war that saw Al-Assad flee the country in late 2024, the SDF has maintained control over significant areas in northeastern Syria.
On January 20, the Syrian military announced a new four-day ceasefire with the SDF, following a breakdown of negotiations regarding the merging of their forces. This announcement follows two weeks of clashes between the two sides, exacerbated by a recent incident where the SDF abandoned their posts guarding the al-Hol camp—home to thousands of individuals linked to the Islamic State militant group.
As tensions continue to rise both locally and internationally, the situation in Manchester serves as a reminder of how global conflicts can resonate in communities far from the epicenter. The GMP has urged anyone with information regarding the protest to come forward by contacting them via their website or by calling 101 and quoting log 2693 of 20.01.2026.
