Calls for international guarantees for Afrin's IDPs return on 7th occupation anniversary

In the seventh year of Turkey and its mercenaries' occupation of Afrin, the region of North and East Syria witnessed a series of statements condemning the ongoing occupation, emphasizing the priority of its liberation through their continuous struggle, issued by civil institutions, councils, and political parties.

Tal Hamis

The City Council of Tal Hamis and the Martyrs' Families Council in the city issued two statements, read by Balqis al-Abdullah and Akid Ahmad, in the presence of city residents, civil institutions, political party members, and tribal elders, at the Sawmill roundabout.

The statements mentioned: "On this painful anniversary of the occupation of Afrin, we remember with great sorrow and bitterness the crimes and violations committed against its original inhabitants, including forced displacement, demographic change, and looting of property, amid continued international silence regarding one of the most brutal forms of occupation in modern times."

The statements affirmed that "our people continue their steadfast resistance against the aggressive policies, and as history has recorded the epic of resilience in Afrin, Kobani, and Serê Kaniyê, the resistance of the Tishrin Dam is still a living witness to the will of our people in confronting the projects of occupation."

Girkê Legê

In the same context, the Martyrs' Families Council and the City Council of Girkê Legê issued two statements, read in front of the Martyrs' Families Council building by Hazin Abu Zaid and Nareeshan Barakat.

The statements highlighted: "The Turkish occupying state and its mercenaries have committed the most heinous and inhumane crimes and massacres against the people of Afrin and its towns and villages without distinction. They also tampered with the beauty of Afrin's nature as if they were taking revenge on its stunning beauty. These dirty and brutal crimes continue to be repeated in the same way and with the same scenario."

The statements called on "international powers to take effective action to stop these hostile acts against our people," and urged the Damascus authorities to break their silence and not repeat the actions of the former Ba'ath regime regarding the displaced file, stressing the need for decisions that ensure their safe return to their homes."

Kobani

Political parties in the Euphrates Canton issued a statement read by Musa Kanu, a member of the leadership body of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria, in front of the building of the Democratic Union Party in the Euphrates Canton in Kobani.

The statement condemned in the strongest terms the massacre committed against an entire family in the countryside of Kobani and the crimes being committed against the people of Afrin on the seventh anniversary of its occupation.

It called on "the international community, especially the international coalition, to urgently act to stop the crimes of the Turkish occupation, take decisive measures to limit their continuation, which threatens peace, security, and stability in the region in general, and to ensure the return of the forcibly displaced to their homes."

K. Star

In the same context, the K. Star in the Euphrates Canton issued a statement in the Free Women's Square in Kobani, read by Khunaf Khalil, the director of the Health Committee in the K. Star in Kobani.

The statement condemned the massacres being committed against the Kurdish people, saying: "Everyone remains silent about the massacres committed against the Kurdish people, but we condemn these massacres. The Turkish occupying state bombed a civilian house in the village of Barkh Botan in Kobani, resulting in a massacre that caused the martyrdom of 9 people from one family and injured two others from the same family."

The statement affirmed the continuation of the struggle no matter what the Turkish occupying state does to prevent it from turning Nuwroz into a day of sorrow and grief.

Raqqa

In turn, the Women's Body and the Child Protection Office in Raqqa Canton issued a statement, read by Amel al-Jassem, the chairwoman of the Women's Body in the Executive Council of Raqqa, in front of the Council building in the southern part of the city.

The statement began by condemning the massacre committed by the Turkish occupation against an entire family in the countryside of Kobani.

It called on "international powers and human rights organizations to take immediate action and pressure Turkey to stop these repeated attacks on unarmed civilians. It also called for an independent international investigation into the circumstances of this massacre and accountability for those responsible."

The statement urged "everyone to stand with our displaced people and work to ensure their safe return to their homes."

Deir ez-Zor

For their part, the people of the eastern countryside of the Deir ez-Zor Canton issued a statement, read in front of the Executive Council of the Canton by Salem al-Abdullah, co-chair of the Al-Baghuz Municipality.

The statement emphasized the sanctity of Syrian blood, stating that what the Turkish occupation is doing to the civilians and the people of Afrin is a war crime, and called on international powers to hold it accountable for this.

Çil Agha

The People's Initiative and the Martyrs' Families Council issued two statements, read before the City Council by Mohammed Fares and Abdul Qadir Nevo.

The statements emphasized: "The continuation of the struggle until the liberation of all occupied Syrian territories. These practices will not deter us from continuing our struggle and our legitimate demands to protect the gains of our revolution and the legacy of our martyrs."

Tirbespiyê

The Martyrs' Families Council in Tirbespiyê issued a statement, read before the council by the co-chairs of the Martyrs' Families Council, Hussein Khaled, and Alaa Ibrahim.

The statement called for "national unity among the Syrian people against the Turkish war machine and the end of its occupation of Syrian territories, as well as calling on international forces and humanitarian organizations to hold Turkey accountable for its crimes."

The City Council of Tirbespiyê also issued a statement, read by the co-chair of the City Council of Tirbespiyê, Mezekin Lazkin, before the council.

The statement called for "the end of the Turkish occupation of Syrian territories and the return of forcibly displaced people to their homes. It also demanded an international investigation committee to investigate the facts in Afrin, document the violations, and bring the perpetrators to justice."

It called on the Damascus authorities to assume responsibility for liberating the occupied areas, expelling mercenaries, and removing Turkey, preventing it from continuing its attacks and dirty policies against Syria and its people."

Qamishlo

The Martyrs' Families Council in Qamishlo issued a statement, read by Shirzad Ramo and Fian Issa.

The statement called on "all institutions and organizations concerned with human rights to curb Turkey’s flagrant violations of humanitarian principles."

It demanded "international guarantor parties to oversee the peace process in Turkey to avoid further destruction and bloodshed."

Amuda

The displaced people of Afrin issued a statement, read by the displaced Rashid Alo, in which they appealed to "human rights organizations and the International Court of Justice to hold war criminals accountable."

They called for "international guarantees for the return of all displaced people from Afrin, Serê Kaniyê, and Girê Spî, and all Syrians to their homes, so that peace and security may prevail in Syria."

Dêrik

The Student Union, the Afrin Displaced Persons Association, and Autonomous Administration institutions in Dêrik issued separate statements, read by Heya Hassou, Mahmoud Rasul, and Mariam Mahmoud.

The statements condemned the massacre committed by the Turkish occupation in the countryside of Kobani, and appealed to "international and human rights organizations, and the United Nations to save the children and put an end to the massacres committed by the Turkish occupation and its targeting of civilians."

The statements demanded: "Holding the Turkish occupying state accountable for these massacres."

They called for "the removal of the Turkish war machine from all Syrian lands, the prosecution of war criminals, and the safe return of displaced people from Afrin and Shahba to their regions."

Beirut

The Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Lebanon issued a statement on the seventh anniversary of the occupation of the Syrian city of Afrin, reaffirming its firm position against and condemnation of Turkey's systematic policies of Turkification and Arabization in Afrin and other areas under its control.

It called on "human rights organizations and the influential countries in the Syrian file to pressure Ankara to end its occupation, halt demographic changes, forced displacement, and ensure the dignified and safe return of the displaced."

A-H

ANHA