Calls for Damascus to revoke Abu Shakra appointment, apologize to martyr Hevrin's family

Public reactions have intensified, especially among women in the region of North and East Syria, following Damascus’ appointment of Abu Shakra as the leader of the 68th Division.

Abu Shakra is known as a leader of the "Ahrar al-Sharqiya" mercenaries and is accused of committing serious crimes, most notably the assassination of Future Syria Party Secretary-General Hevrin Khalaf and her driver Farhad Ramadan in October 2019. He is also accused of crimes against women and children, particularly Yazidis.

Undermining the path to building future Syria

In this context, the Kongra Star organization strongly condemned the appointment, describing it as a “hostile act” targeting the region’s communities and the free will and rights of Syrian women. The statement was delivered in front of the Mohammad Sheikho Center for Culture and Art in Qamishlo, attended by activists and political and social figures, and read by Kongra Star member Gulistan Kalo.

The statement emphasized that appointing a mercenary accused of war crimes and humanitarian violations to an official position is a clear breach of transitional justice principles and undermines the efforts to build a new Syria based on justice and human rights.

It also stressed that the decision contradicts the March 10 Agreement signed between the Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the head of the Damascus authorities, Ahmad al-Shar’a, particularly the clauses related to community and women's rights.

Kongra Star called for the immediate revocation of the appointment and for Hatem Abu Shakra to be prosecuted before the competent authorities to ensure a transparent and fair trial. The organization also urged those responsible for the decision to issue an official apology to the family of the political martyr Hevrin Khalaf.

The statement concluded by saying that the credibility of the Damascus government is now in question, not only among the local population but also in the eyes of the international community, necessitating serious action to ensure transitional justice for Syrians.

Continuing the struggle for justice

Dozens of activists and members of women’s organizations, led by Suad Mustafa, mother of the martyr Hevrin Khalaf, also protested the Damascus authorities’ decision in a demonstration organized by the Women’s Council of the Future Syria Party in front of the party’s headquarters in Qamishlo.

During the protest, Walida Hassan, spokesperson for the Women's Council in Qamishlo, read a statement on behalf of the party condemning the decision and describing it as a “provocative and completely unacceptable step.” The statement asserted that appointing a morally condemned and internationally wanted individual poses a direct threat to principles of justice and human dignity and undermines the aspirations of the Syrian people and free women.

It further stated that the decision reflects Damascus' continued policy of impunity and marginalization, with no real intent for a political solution. The party called for building a democratic and decentralized Syria and urged national forces, human rights organizations, and the international community to take a clear stand against this decision.

The statement concluded by affirming, “The memory of the martyrs will not be erased, and murderers will not become decision-makers,” stressing the continuation of the struggle for justice, freedom, and equality.

Where is Syria heading?

Women in Ain Issa also condemned the Damascus authorities’ appointment of Hevrin Khalaf’s killer to a leadership position within its military structures, demanding a fair trial.

The statement, delivered by Kongra Star administrator Ruqayya Mohammed in Ain Issa, was attended by dozens of women from the city and members of the local council's committees and directorates.

It condemned the appointment of mercenaries and murderers of women, such as Mohammed al-Jassim (Abu Amsha), Saif Boulad Abu Bakr, and others with blood-stained hands, into Damascus' military formations.

Women expressed their outrage at the decision, stating: “Instead of holding criminals accountable and achieving justice, they are being appointed to leadership positions, signaling a vague and uncertain future.”

Turkish role in rehabilitating war criminals

In the same vein, the Bar Association of Jazira Canton issued a statement condemning the Damascus authorities’ appointment of mercenary Hatem Abu Shakra as a commander of a military formation. The statement was made during a protest in front of the Bar Association building in Qamishlo, attended by several legal professionals.

The statement pointed out that Abu Shakra is implicated in extrajudicial killings, abductions, torture, property confiscation, and recruiting mercenaries for ISIS, describing these acts as “serious violations of international law and constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

It referenced several international legal texts, including Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, Articles 7 and 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Syrian law. It emphasized that the assassination of Hevrin Khalaf was a blatant violation of these laws.

The association linked the appointment to what it called "Turkey's role in rehabilitating individuals involved in serious crimes and imposing them on Syrian state institutions," warning that such practices threaten national unity and undermine any political solution.

The statement concluded by asserting that appointing Abu Shakra is "a reward for the executioners at the expense of the victims," calling for the immediate cancellation of the decision, an independent international investigation into crimes committed by mercenaries, and the prosecution of all parties involved, either directly or through complicity and silence.

The Zanobia Women’s Gathering also issued a written statement condemning the appointment of Ahmad al-Hayis, (Hatem Abu Shakra), the murderer of the Future Syria Party’s Secretary-General Hevrin Khalaf, who dedicated her life to peace and reconciliation, into a leadership role in the 86th Division in the Deir ez-Zor, Hasaka, and Raqqa regions.

The statement described the appointment as a blatant disregard for the blood of the martyrs, an insult to the dignity of Syrian women, and a complete dismissal of the values of justice and peace.

It demanded the prosecution of Ahmad al-Hayis for his multiple crimes and that he be brought to justice to receive his fair punishment.

The statement concluded: “We will not forget the blood of Hevrin Khalaf and all victims of Ahmad al-Hayis’ crimes. We will not stop demanding the rights of Syrian women and will continue working for a free and just Syria that respects the rights of all its sons and daughters.”

A-H

ANHA