Calls made to protect Afrin heritage

Politicians from the Afrin Canton called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, to bear responsibilities in protecting humanitarian heritage in Afrin from Turkish occupation forces and affiliated mercenary groups.

18 August, 2021 03:23

SHAHBA ALAN RESHID

Since Afrin was occupied by Turkish occupation forces and the affiliated mercenary groups demographic change and destruction of cultural and historical sites is underway to be added to rape, murder, abduction and forced displacement.

Politician Bedran Hemo says that many civilizations prevailed Afrin, Medes, Romans and Hurrians that left hundreds of archaeological and cultural monuments and milestones.

Turkey coordinated with many parts to carry out its aggression against Afrin. During the attack many cultural and historical sites were targeted by Turkey many inscribed on the List of World Heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, as international associations do not bear responsibilities in protecting hills and sites that bear Afrin imprint with the aim to erase the Kurdish people culture.

Hemo called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, to bear its responsibilities as a concerned part in protecting Afrin and bring to justice Turkish occupation forces and the affiliated mercenary groups that deform hills and sites in Afrin.

In turn, politician Ibrahim Khalil said '' Turkish occupation forces re-enact what the Ottomans do when occupying the Middle East, in Hejaz they stole all Muslim heritage transferring it into Istanbul to attributing it to themselves as representative of Islam''.

''Turkish occupation forces seek to eradicate culture of Afrin to obliterate the Kurdish culture and destroy heritage of forefathers and ancestors, the Medes, and all sites ad milestones in the region to make demographic change'', he said as he called on international concerned associations to protect heritage of Afrin people as he confirmed resistance on going until lands liberated.

Worth to note that there are at least 130 archaeological sites in Afrin in the whole six districts and city date back to 300 BC. Of which Ain Dara Temple that was targeted by the Turkish occupation forces in the village of Helbeske in Raco.

L.A.

ANHA