US Mission: Turkey's response to its mercenaries’ violations in Syria is not satisfactory

According to a quarterly report issued by the chief inspector of the US mission against ISIS in Syria and Iraq, the United States remains "extremely concerned" about reports of human rights violations in Turkish-occupied areas in northern Syria.

Despite assurances by Turkish officials that they take the allegations seriously and support investigations into such allegations, the report, which covers the months of October-December, said the Foreign Ministry found that the results "were not entirely satisfactory."

Turkey and its mercenaries occupied some areas of northeastern Syria, including the regions of Girê Spi / Tal Abyad and Serêkaniyê / Ras al-Ain, in October 2019.

The so-called "National Army" mercenaries have been accused of taking hostages, cruel treatment, torture, rape and looting of civilian property, according to a UN report issued in August.

The report of the chief inspector of the US mission said, “US officials have received reports of killings, torture, kidnapping, extortion, arbitrary detention and denying half a million civilians access to water in areas under the control of Turkish-backed groups, highlighting the documented violence against the displaced Kurds, as well as the Yazidis in Afrin and the Christians in Serekaniye / Ras al-Ain. "

In September, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said that the human rights situation in the Syrian territories occupied by Turkey and its mercenaries was "grim, with widespread violence and crime."

The report also expressed concern about "the multiple reports of violence targeting the Kurds, Yezidis and Christians, which prevented them from returning safely to their homes in areas controlled by Turkish-backed groups."

J.O