AANES calls for return of IDPs

Today, on the official website of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, a statement was published marking the seventh anniversary of the occupation of Afrin. The statement read as follows:

"March 18 marks the seventh anniversary of the occupation of Afrin by Turkish fascism and extremist terrorist groups, following their brutal attack on the peaceful Afrin Canton. Afrin had been a safe place and refuge for all Syrians who had been displaced from their areas, and it was managed by its people under the framework of its democratic autonomous administration.

The attack lasted for 58 days, facing heroic resistance that was unprecedented. Turkish fascism used all kinds of internationally banned weapons, with the support of a Russian-Turkish agreement and the complacency of the deposed Syrian regime, which remained passive in the face of the occupation of Syrian territories. The occupation of the 'City of Olives' resulted in the displacement of its original inhabitants, amid international silence regarding the massacres committed against the people of Afrin and its beautiful natural environment.

Seven years have passed since the occupation, yet the policies of genocide by the occupying forces and terrorist groups continue, especially after the fall of the former regime and the Syrian people’s joy at the end of a long era of tyranny and oppression.

As factions supported by the Turkish occupying state advanced toward Aleppo, another catastrophe occurred. The Turkish state retaliated against the resilient Afrin population in the Shahba camps and Tal Rifaat, leading to another wave of displacement of the remaining people.

This repeated tragedy against the people of Tal Rifaat and Afrin adds another dark chapter to the crimes committed by the supported factions, targeting the security of the people in Shahba and Tal Rifaat. As a result, convoys of displaced people along the route between Shahba and Tabqa were attacked, leading to several acts of murder and intimidation against these convoys.

The Autonomous Administration has done everything within its means to assist the massive number of displaced persons, estimated at more than 300,000, despite repeated attacks on the Autonomous Administration’s areas. The most recent attacks included the occupation of Manbij, the assault on Tishrin Dam, and attempts to undermine the resilience of our people, who continue to resist these attacks instigated and supported by the Turkish occupying state. This has further complicated the Syrian situation after the fall of the former regime, as Turkey seeks to exploit this phase in every possible way.

In light of this massive demographic change affecting the people of Afrin and Tal Rifaat, we call on the international community and the international coalition to intervene to return the tormented and displaced people of Afrin to their historic land.

We express our solidarity on this painful anniversary with our forcibly displaced people from Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad, and we also call for urgent intervention to pressure the Turkish occupying state and the transitional government to facilitate the return of the displaced to their homes.

Glory and eternity to our righteous martyrs.

A speedy recovery to our wounded."

A-H

ANHA