Afrin, al-Shahba IDPs demand their safe return

The Afrin and al-Shahba Displaced Persons Council, in cooperation with the Afrin Social Association, issued a statement on Tuesday in front of the March 12 Stadium in Qamishlo, and another statement at the Youth Center in Derik, marking the first anniversary of the displacement of Afrin residents from al-Shahba region. the displaced residents of Afrin and al-Shahba attended the statements, holding banners demanding to put an end to the occupation and calling for their right to live in safety.

Qamishlo

The statement was read in Qamishlo in both Arabic and Kurdish; the Arabic version by Hanan Kedro; the member of the Afrin and al-Shahba Council, and the Kurdish version by Rezgar Lolo; the Council's member.

The statement explained that the first anniversary of the displacement of Afrin people, who were previously residing in al-Shahba region of northern Aleppo, comes after military operations that led to the displacement of thousands and caused widespread destruction, attacks, and looting in the area.

It noted that the residents withstood for 58 days before being displaced to al-Shahba region, where they continued their resistance despite the siege, hardships, and repeated attacks, and condemned their forced displacement from al-Shahba.

The statement added that the Turkish state's support for the mercenaries led to a second displacement of the population from al-Shahba to North and East Syria, and reiterated its condemnation of these practices, which it described as amounting to crimes against humanity.

The Council called on the Transitional Government authorities to take immediate measures to hold those responsible accountable, compensate the victims, and ensure the return of displaced persons to their homes in Afrin.

The statement also called on the people to organize themselves in preparation for a mass return to the region, and stressed that implementing the March 10th Agreement, which pertains to the return of displaced persons, ensuring their protection, and granting them self-governance is the best way to address the issue of displacement in a just and sustainable manner.

Derik

In the city of Derik, the statement was read by Nihad Mostafa Alo, the member of the Afrin and al-Shahba Council. The statement made clear, "For seven years in al-Shahba, despite the continuous targeting by the Hamza, Amshat, and al-Sultan Morad groups, supported by Turkey, the residents managed to build a democratic and dignified life. However, the ongoing violations, including kidnapping, killing, and torture, have forced many to flee for a second time."

The statement continued, "We consider these violations as crimes against humanity, and we demand that those responsible be held accountable, that property be returned, and that the safe return of the residents to Afrin be facilitated."

The statement called on human rights organizations and peoples, especially women and youths, to support the displaced people's right to a dignified life, and said, "We affirm that implementing the March 10th Agreement is the best way to resolve the displacement issue legally and sustainably."

J.J

ANHA