SDC condemns Turkish occupation attacks; demands that they be stopped

The Syrian Democratic Council issued a statement to the public regarding the ongoing attacks on the region of North and East Syria, which stated:

At a time when the world is looking to enhance peace and stability in the Middle East, and demands are increasing to avoid further deterioration due to the ongoing escalation, we witness the continuation of systematic attacks targeting the economic and vital infrastructure in northeastern Syria. On the evening of October 23, 2022, the Turkish army launched a brutal attack against vital economic sites in northeastern Syria, resulting in significant civilian casualties and the destruction of vital facilities. This targeting of the sources of life and basic resources for the population is the fourth since October 2022 and aims to strike the local economy and deepen the suffering of civilians who have been enduring for over a decade a complex national crisis in Syria. These attacks aim to shatter the hopes of the population for peace, stability, and living with dignity.

As the Turkish attacks aim to cut off water, electricity, gas, fuel and essential resources, the Syrian Democratic Council condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing Turkish attacks in northern Syria, especially the repeated attacks on vital infrastructure that is the main reason for citizens’ lives. The Council also condemns the hostile Turkish policies that aim to displace and expel the Syrian people in order to consolidate its occupation project for the entirety of northern Syria. While the Syrian Democratic Council stresses that targeting the economic infrastructure contradicts the Geneva Conventions and international laws related to the protection of civilians during conflicts, the Council calls on the United Nations, international organizations, the Human Rights Council and the European Union to take responsible positions towards this flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. The Council also calls on the United States of America and the Russian Federation to hold Turkey accountable based on the ceasefire agreements concluded in October 2019, according to which Turkey must commit to stopping its attacks on the lands of northeastern Syria. We also call on the UN Security Council and the League of Arab States to exert maximum pressure on Turkey to stop its attacks on the sovereignty of Syria and its citizens, respect the purposes of international law, and stop its policies aimed at exporting its internal crises as a pretext to expand its occupation project.

The Council affirms to the world public opinion that while we seek to find just and peaceful solutions to our national issues in Syria, we also affirm our full respect for the sovereignty of neighboring countries, and reject any violation of the sovereignty of our country. We believe that every country has the right to address its internal affairs in line with its national interests. We also call for the rights of all peoples to be respected within the framework of the countries to which they belong in accordance with international laws and human rights. We also believe that internal dialogue is the best way to resolve all issues, in a way that achieves stability and justice for all parties. Accordingly, we call on Turkey to stop its attacks and assaults on safe citizens in northeastern Syria, and we call on it to withdraw completely and end its occupation of our lands, respect the borders and Syrian sovereignty, and seek solutions to its problems away from involving the Syrians in its internal crises.

T/ Satt.

ANHA