International Orgs. issue humanitarian appeal to protect residents of Sheikh Maqsoud- Ashrafieh

Three international civil organizations released a joint statement expressing deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, due to the bombing and siege imposed by transitional government forces. This has worsened the suffering of the residents and threatened their daily lives.

The organizations Kurdish Geostrategic Organization for Civil Society, Austrian Kurdish Women’s Association for Art and Culture, and the German Organization for Development and Peace pointed out that civilians in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, especially children, women, and the elderly, are facing catastrophic conditions due to shortages of food, medicine, water, and electricity. They warned of the risk of new massacres against defenseless civilians.

The statement called for the following:

An immediate cessation of hostilities in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods to spare civilians from the horrors of war.

Urgent and effective protection for civilians, with all parties committing not to target residential areas with bombardment or threats of invasion.

The opening of safe humanitarian corridors under international supervision to deliver food and medical supplies, and to evacuate critical humanitarian cases.

A call to Syrian parties, primarily the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Syrian government, to engage in dialogue and understanding to establish peace and stability in Aleppo and other Syrian cities.

The statement urged the international community, the United Nations, the Security Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and all human rights and humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene to stop hostilities, provide immediate protection to civilians, and open safe corridors under international supervision to deliver food and medical aid and evacuate critical cases.

The signatory organizations emphasized the need for all parties to refrain from targeting residential neighborhoods or threatening their invasion, calling for an end to this tragedy and to ensure that crimes against innocent civilians are not repeated.

Organizations signing the statement:

Kurdish Geostrategic Organization for Civil Society (Kurdische Geostrategie-Organisation für die Zivilgesellschaft)

Austrian Kurdish Women’s Association for Art and Culture (Kurdisch Österreicher Frauen. Verein für Kunst und Kultur)

German Organization for Development and Peace (Deutsche Internationale Organisation für Entwicklung und Frieden).

ANHA