Afrin displaced await safe return after 8 years

March 18 marks the anniversary of the occupation of Afrin in 2018, following an offensive launched by the Turkish army and its affiliated factions, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of its original inhabitants. Displaced people from Afrin say their suffering continues, as they live in difficult humanitarian conditions while holding on to their right of return and preserving their identity and culture.

In this context, Fakhri Suleiman, who was displaced four consecutive times, said: “The enemy could not be tolerated; it committed the worst violations against the people of Afrin. After we left Afrin, it continued to pressure the people in every way to break their will, despite their resistance with limited means. Our enemy is brutal and views the people of Afrin with contempt, wanting them to remain subjugated.”

Suleiman noted that after Afrin residents established civil and service institutions and gained their rights and freedoms, they could no longer live under Turkish occupation, which forced them to leave. He added that the Kurdish people have faced oppressive and chauvinistic practices for centuries, depriving them of their rights and land, and that hostility continued after Afrin’s occupation, extending attacks to Shahba, Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, and later all of Rojava.

He added: “After leaving Afrin, we built a new life from nothing, established institutions, and opened schools, managing ourselves independently. But this did not satisfy the enemy, which knew the people were determined to return. It thought displacement would weaken us, but the opposite happened. Attacks continued, displacing people again to Raqqa, Tabqa, Deir Hafir, Kobani, and then to Jazira.”

He stressed that despite ongoing displacement and suffering, Afrin residents continue to struggle and organize themselves for a safe return to their homeland with dignity. He called on human rights organizations to pressure for safe return and protection of residents’ rights.

Suleiman also said the Syrian Interim Government must prove itself to the people, emphasizing: “We are an integral part of the Syrian people. We are Kurds from Rojava, but we are part of the home.”

“We Want to Return with Dignity”

Arifa Habash said: “Today marks 8 years since we left Afrin. When I say 8 years, I remember years of displacement, suffering, hardship, resistance, and struggle. We endured all of this to return to Afrin with dignity.”

She stressed that their demand is a return “on our own terms, not imposed conditions,” noting children have been deprived of education for 8 years.

A History of Resistance

Khatoun Ahmed Sultan said: “March 18 marks the anniversary of Afrin’s occupation. The massacres and attacks committed are engraved in our memory. After forced displacement, we moved to Shahba, then were displaced again to Qamishlo. Displacement has accompanied us for 8 years.”

She added: “After the fall of the Ba’ath government, we hoped to return, but faced the same suffering. We want a safe return that guarantees freedom and dignity. Mercenaries still occupy our homes in Afrin, and they must leave for us to return safely.”

She concluded that Afrin residents have written their history through resistance, sacrifice, and resilience, saying: “Our history is full of struggle. We will not abandon our cause—we exist and we will resist.”

ANHA