Amsterdam declares safety risk zones around Central Station, the Dam over Syria protests
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has declared the areas near Amsterdam Central Station and the Dam to be safety risk zones, which have been in effect since around 4 p.m. The reason cited for this is two planned demonstrations about the conflict in Syria, with one being a counter-demonstration.
Police have received warnings that certain people or groups may attend the demonstrations intending to provoke trouble.
Recent clashes between the Syrian transitional government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo and northeastern Syria have sparked international protests.
Clashes erupted in early January 2026 in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, resulting in dozens of deaths, injuries, and over 148,000 displacements. The Syrian Army advanced against SDF positions, leading to ceasefires on January 10 and later dates, with SDF withdrawals from key areas like Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor.
On Tuesday, hundreds of Kurds protested in The Hague against the Syrian government's actions targeting SDF areas, with similar demonstrations in other cities.
When an area in Amsterdam is declared a safety risk zone by Mayor Femke Halsema, the police gain extra authority, including the power to carry out preventive searches and prohibit face-covering clothing. This measure, based on the General Municipal Ordinance (APV), aims to maintain public order during threats or major events where unrest is anticipated.
The safety risk zone was established at 4 p.m. today. While no specific end time has been set, the primary goal is to prevent any incidents during the demonstrations.
In the past, sections of Amsterdam’s city center, such as around Central Station, the Dam, the Red Light District, and Nieuwmarkt, have been declared safety risk zones due to major demonstrations and the risk of unrest escalating.
This also often occurs during Ajax matches when they are facing a European team like Galatasaray. In these cases, a safety risk zone is similarly set up around the station, the Dam, and the Red Light District, allowing the police greater leeway to carry out inspections and ban face coverings.
