Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh's General Council demands accountability for attackers

The General Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods issued a statement to the public opinion, in the presence of residents of the two neighborhoods, as well as members of civil society organizations.

The statement was read by Mostafa Mohamed, the administrator in the General Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods, at the Martyrs' Square in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood.

The statement included, "Yesterday (on Monday), we witnessed tragic events, a continuation of a series of actions that began on October 6th and the tightened siege imposed since September 25th of this year, as some factions affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense once again targeted the Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, and Bani Zeid neighborhoods. This targeting is a continuation of the siege imposed on these densely populated civilian areas.

These attacks were premeditated and planned for in advance. As is evident, the attack was preceded by preparations that included cutting off electricity and internet service, closing roads, launching barbaric media attacks, and the sudden withdrawal of the General Security personnel from joint checkpoints of the Interim Government, as documented and verified in videos. This coincided with the visit of the Turkish delegation to Damascus, which is striving to undermine the March 10th Agreement and control Syrian decision-making.

The attacks involved the use of all types of heavy and medium weapons, including tanks and rocket launchers, against a civilian population that simply wants to live in dignity. During the indiscriminate targeting of these civilian neighborhoods, a civilian woman was martyred, and 19 others were variously injured."

These actions constitute a clear violation of the principles of international humanitarian and human rights law, particularly the principle of protecting civilians and not targeting residential areas. These crimes cannot be justified under any circumstances or pretext.

We also emphasize that the continuation of these attacks and inhumane acts exacerbates the suffering of more than 55,000 families, undermines the relative stability, and threatens the civil peace. This necessitates urgent intervention from the relevant authorities to stop them immediately and prevent their recurrence.

We, the General Council of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods, have repeatedly affirmed our full commitment to the agreements concluded with the Interim Government in Damascus on April 1st, stemming from the March 10th Agreement. We also reaffirm our complete commitment to defending the residents of the neighborhood and standing against anyone who attempts to undermine their will. We call upon the international community and all human rights and humanitarian organizations to fulfill their moral duty to uphold human freedom and dignity.

We hold the Interim Government in Damascus, and the governor of Aleppo in particular, responsible for these attacks and the siege imposed on the neighborhood. We also call on the Interim government to hold accountable those factions operating under the roof of the Ministry of Defense.

We reaffirm to our people in Aleppo that we are an integral part of the Syrian fabric, and we believe in the co-existence that has endured for decades. We call upon them to stand against those who attempt to sow discord and sectarian strife among the components of our city.

We also reaffirm to our people in Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, Bani Zeid, and all neighborhoods of Aleppo Governorate that we will always work to preserve security and civil peace and defend our legitimate rights.

Long live the resistance of the people!

Long live a free and decentralized Syria!

Glory to the martyrs and healing to the wounded!

The General Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh Neighborhoods."

J.J

ANHA