‏SDC affirms that resolving Afrin issue requires ending Turkish occupation

The Syrian Democratic Council issued a statement to the public today, on the eighth anniversary of the occupation of Afrin, which reads:

"March 18, 2026, marks the eighth anniversary of the occupation of the Afrin region by Turkey and its allied Syrian factions, following heroic resistance by the region's inhabitants. The occupation resulted in the forced displacement of approximately 300,000 of the region's original inhabitants, many of whom continue to face repeated displacement and the loss of basic necessities.

Over the past eight years, the original Kurdish population of Afrin has been subjected to grave and blatant violations, documented by humanitarian and international organizations. These violations include killing, torture, confiscation of homes and land, forced displacement, alteration of the region's demographic composition, destruction of public and private property, and the deliberate targeting of cultural landmarks and historical sites. The occupation policies have also led to the deterioration of the local environment and the imposition of a new administrative reality that contradicts the will of the original inhabitants.

The Syrian Democratic Council affirms that addressing the Afrin issue requires ending the Turkish and allied military presence, returning the region to its original inhabitants, removing all traces of the occupation, and guaranteeing the safe and dignified return of displaced persons.

The Council considers the restoration of rights and properties and the reversal of imposed demographic and administrative changes to be the foundation of any sustainable and just solution.

It views the recent return of 400 displaced families, under an agreement between the Syrian Interim Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, as a positive step, but one that does not negate the need for a comprehensive solution guaranteeing the return of all original inhabitants to their homes and properties within a legal framework that preserves their dignity and protects their rights. The Council emphasises that it is closely monitoring the cases of displaced persons from Afrin and all displaced Syrians, and considers the realisation of their rights and the guarantee of their safe and dignified return to be a fundamental issue in any sustainable political solution that ensures stability and justice for all Syrians.

Sh-S

ANHA