SDC Calls for investigation into attack on Sere Kaniye returnees

The Syrian Democratic Council issued a statement today regarding the attacks on displaced people from Sere Kaniye returning to their city, stating:

"The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) is following with profound concern the developments in the city of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) following the armed attack on the first convoy of returnees to the city. We are equally alarmed by the subsequent escalation of tension and unrest this incident has provoked in the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli (Qamishlo).

We strongly condemn this attack, which specifically targeted families who were simply exercising their right to return to their homes and rebuild their lives. For us, the safety of all civilians and their right to return to their places of origin must remain paramount. These considerations must transcend any narrow political or security calculations, as the protection of human life and dignity is a duty that admits no negligence or compromise.

We regard the return of displaced Syrians as a fundamental national and humanitarian right. The Kurdish families whose repatriation to Sere Kaniye was carefully coordinated with relevant state institutions are entitled to every possible guarantee and form of protection to ensure their safety and uphold their rights. Facilitating a dignified and secure return, alongside protecting the property of returnees, is a necessary first step toward healing the deep wounds of forced displacement. It is equally essential for laying the groundwork for genuine stability and enduring civil peace.

We fully appreciate the deep anger and anxiety that has gripped the Kurdish community following this attack. We therefore call on everyone to channel their response in a way that upholds national responsibility and avoids further harm. We urge restraint from any reactive measures that could widen the circle of tension, further endanger innocent civilians, or unravel the fragile fabric of social coexistence.

Accordingly, the SDC appeals to all parties and societal forces to exercise the highest degree of self-control and to prioritize the broader public interest above all else. We implore everyone to refrain from any action that could inflame the current climate of tension or propel events toward more dangerous escalations. We stress the absolute necessity of respecting the role of civil and security institutions in shielding the population and safeguarding stability, while insisting that this moment of crisis must not be allowed to devolve into a destructive community conflict.

In this specific context, we call upon the Syrian government and all competent authorities to fully assume their responsibilities. This entails providing comprehensive security for returning citizens throughout their journey and after their arrival in their areas of origin, and ensuring they face no future attacks or threats. We emphasize this is non-negotiable, as the process of their return was conducted in direct coordination with the relevant official bodies.

We further demand the immediate launch of a rapid, transparent, and independent investigation into this attack on the returnee convoy. This investigation must unequivocally assign responsibility, hold all perpetrators to account regardless of their affiliation, and make its findings public. Such transparency is essential to deliver justice for the victims and to prevent these kinds of grave violations from recurring.

We wish to affirm clearly that the security, rights, and freedoms of Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, and all other components of Syrian society form an integrated and indivisible whole. Protecting this integrated system is not an option but the very foundation upon which a safe, stable, and truly inclusive Syria for all its diverse communities must be built.

Furthermore, the SDC renews its urgent calls for calm, restraint, and a collective commitment to protecting civilians and absorbing current tensions. We underscore that the burden of preventing a wider conflagration must be shared by all. However, we also assert that advocating for restraint must not be misconstrued as acceptance of violations or as any form of leniency in defending the fundamental rights of our citizens.

Finally, we reiterate that the issue of displaced persons and the imperative of their safe return to their homes must be resolved strictly in accordance with existing agreements and understandings. This process must guarantee the preservation of their rights, their freedom, and their property. It should also pave the way for resolving all unresolved matters through responsible dialogue, political processes, and legal frameworks—always peacefully."

ANHA