Council of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh on recent attack: "dialogue and defense are our language"

Gunmen affiliated with the Damascus authority targeted positions of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh Protection Forces in the Al-Awarid area, located in the southeast of Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. The attack resulted in the injury of three security force members and one civilian.

Co-Chair of the General Council of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, Hevin Suleiman, commented on the attack carried out by the gunmen, which led to clashes lasting for three hours. The attack was resumed with gunfire late at night, but no further injuries or damage were reported. Suleiman described the attack as "familiar and repetitive."

Hevin explained, "Once again, Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood is under attack by gunmen affiliated with the Damascus authority, following previous attempts since the fall of the Ba'ath regime and the Damascus authorities’ takeover of most Syrian territories."

Hevin stated that the attack poses a threat and danger to the lives of more than 500,000 civilians. Previous attacks have led to the martyrdom of fighters from the Sheikh Maqsoud Protection Forces and the Internal Security Forces.

She highlighted the objectives behind the latest attack, saying: "Destabilizing the security and stability of the region, spreading fear among its people, creating divisions within the community, undermining the cohesion and solidarity among its residents, and dismantling its organization by resorting to military and violent means after failing with other methods."

She added, "We, the people of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, are an integral part of Syria and remain united despite our ethnic and cultural diversity. We organize and manage our affairs independently and have never initiated any attacks against others."

Regarding the means of protecting the area, Hevin stated, "Our forces' response to attacks is only defense. We have no intention of declaring war on any party. We prefer the language of dialogue and defense, not aggression. Our goal is to unite the Syrian ranks and build a free and democratic Syria."

Additionally, on December 30, a position of the Internal Security Forces was targeted by a Turkish occupation drone in the early hours of the morning. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of two Internal Security Force members, Maher Youssef and Mohammed Ali Allo.

Meanwhile, armed groups abducted dozens of Kurdish citizens residing in Aleppo based on their ethnic identity. They were released after being subjected to brutal beatings and torture.

A-H

ANHA