Martyrs' Families Council condemn killing of Sipan and warn of Kobani prison fire’ consequences

Condemnations continue to pour in following the murder of Sipan Hazni, a fighter in the Hasaka Brigade of the Syrian Ministry of Defense forces, two days ago by a group that released videos of the crime. This comes in addition to the fire at the prison in Kobani, which resulted in the deaths of several inmates and injuries to others.

Qamishlo

The Council of Martyrs' Families in the city of Qamishlo issued a statement at the Martyr Dalil Sarukhan Shrine, in the presence of representatives of martyrs' families. The statement was read in Kurdish by council member Zozan Sarik and in Arabic by council member Ahmed Hammo.

Girkê Legê

In the city of Girkê Legê, the Council of Martyrs' Families issued a statement—read by council member Bashir Ali in the presence of martyrs' relatives and local residents—at the council's headquarters in the town of Rmelan.

Tirbespiyê 

In Tirbespiyê, the Council of Martyrs' Families issued a statement—read by council member Aya Khalaf—attended by dozens of martyrs' families, civil society organizations, and local residents.

Çil Axa

In the city of Çil Axa, the statement was read in both Kurdish and Arabic by council member Ahin Shuwish in front of the council center in the Al-Rasafa neighborhood, attended by a gathering of martyrs' families.

The statement read as follows:

"At a time when our people are paying with their pure blood to protect this land and safeguard its security and stability, we are shocked from time to time by treacherous crimes committed under the pretext of backward tribal customs and a culture of vengeance rooted in ignorance—practices that bear no relation to humanity or justice.

The brutal crime that claimed the life of the heroic martyr Sipan constitutes a fully established crime and a cowardly act of treachery against a military member who was performing his sacred national duty to protect community security and combat smuggling; his actions were solely in defense of the law, not driven by any personal or tribal feud.

Attempting to cloak this heinous crime in the guise of 'tribal vengeance' is nothing more than a cheap justification for extrajudicial killing and a flagrant violation of the sanctity of life—especially given that the previous dispute had already been fully resolved and closed under the auspices of the region's notables and tribal elders."

Resorting to the law of the desert and Bedouin tribalism in this manner entails a level of baseness and ignobility that cannot be accepted or tolerated.

We, the Council of Martyrs' Families in Jazira Canton—mindful that the martyr Sipan belonged to a family of freedom fighters that had already sacrificed two other martyrs for the sake of this homeland—hereby declare our categorical and renewed rejection of all forms of chaos and vengeance-driven incitement. We warn that turning a blind eye to this crime, or allowing it to pass without a stern response, will throw the doors wide open to gang warfare and internecine conflict, thereby threatening civil peace and the entire social fabric.

Accordingly, we call upon security and judicial institutions to intervene immediately and decisively to apprehend the perpetrators and to deal with an iron fist against anyone who dares to shed blood or incite strife, ensuring that the maximum legal penalties are imposed upon them without leniency. "We also call upon all tribal elders and notables to shoulder their moral responsibilities and curb rhetoric that incites tribal strife; the blood of our martyrs was not shed to usher in chaos, but so that everyone might live under justice and the rule of law."

Regarding the events that unfolded in Kobani yesterday evening and the incident at the city’s prison—where a fire resulted in several deaths and injuries—the statement added: "The events occurring in Kobani today—specifically the prison incident that led to fatalities—are manufactured and premeditated acts orchestrated by intelligence circles, primarily backed by Turkey, with the aim of undermining the process of social integration."

The statement emphasized the need for societal awareness and organization to avoid falling into the "traps of special warfare," noting: "Our people must remain vigilant and organized to ensure we do not fall into the traps of special warfare."

Highlighting the historic ties between the region's diverse communities, the statement noted that Arab tribes and the Kurdish community have lived together in harmony and coexistence for centuries.

It urged both sides to guard against being drawn into internal conflicts, stating: "Both parties must exercise caution and vigilance to avoid being dragged into conspiracies and internal wars in which we have no stake or interest."

The statement concluded by stressing the importance of preserving the achievements secured through the martyrs' sacrifices and building a homeland that embraces all its constituent groups: "Let us all, as Syrians, preserve the martyrs' achievements and build a homeland that encompasses every spectrum of society."

Sh-S

ANHA