The Raqqa Newroz Killings were attacks on Kurdish populations in Raqqa Governorate during Newroz, the Kurdish New Year celebrations.
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Qamishli incident
The first incident took place in March 2008, according to Human Rights Watch, Syrian security forces opened fire at Kurds celebrating spring festival of Newroz. The shooting left three people dead. The city is renowned for throwing a large Christmas parade every year in December, and celebrating Newroz festival by a large crowd every year in March.
Raqqa City incident
The second incident involved a Syrian police attack on the Kurdish population in Raqqa city, who had gathered to celebrate new Kurdish 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.