Syrian Defense Protest

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Lafayette Square across from the White House to protest the Trump administrations recent decision to remove U.S. forces from northern Syria. The move, critics say, would open up the region to outside forces like Turkey and an increase in terrorist activity.

The crowd was defending the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, often referred to as Rojava.

The protest was organized by the American Rojava Center for Democracy, an organization that advocates for peace in Syria.

U.S. troops were in northeast Syria since 2014 to assist Kurdish fighters in defeating the Islamic State group.

The flag of the Kurdistan Region.