Syrian Photographers Union from Tishreen Dam denounces  Turkish attacks on journalists

Today, the Syrian Photographers Union issued a statement to the public opinion, which was read by the co-chair of the Photographers Union, Ahmed Mardali, and the journalist at Radio Star FM, Lailaf Hassan, in the presence of dozens of components of al-Jaziar Canton, and journalists covering the events and violations taking place in the dam against citizens and journalists.

The statement began by emphasizing the importance of arts and their vital role in conveying the suffering, cultures, and heritage of peoples throughout history: “We know the importance of the role and responsibility of arts in conveying the suffering, culture, heritage, and spirit of peoples throughout history, through the products they provide that serve and contribute to the rapprochement of peoples and societies.”

The statement of the Syrian Photographers Union stressed that “photography, as an integral part of these arts, plays a pivotal role in documenting and conveying facts, especially in light of the serious events witnessed by Syria.”

It pointed out that “since its establishment, the Union has sought to highlight the role and importance of photography in the North and East of Syria region, and its support for the July 19th Revolution, by conveying facts and contributing to documenting the struggle, resistance, and sacrifices of the people of the region in confronting the Syrian crisis, and the attacks of various terrorist organizations, with direct support from Turkish fascism.”

the statement also pointed out that the so-called Syrian National Army does not represent the Syrian people and is far removed from patriotism and the general public, but rather is a tool of external forces.

The statement explained that "the union succeeded in 2024 in strengthening cooperation with photography associations and photographers from outside North and East Syria, by organizing a joint festival, in which photographers from Egypt, the Kurdistan Region and Iraq participated. The works of the Syrian Photographers Union were displayed alongside the works of participating associations and photographers, which contributed to the exchange of experiences and cultures.

The statement continued: "This festival is scheduled to become an annual event held on January 31 of each year, to be a permanent platform for the exchange of creativity, experiences and cultures. However, the recent political developments in Syria, including the fall of the Assad regime and the entry of armed factions such as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham into Damascus, in addition to the Turkish attacks supported by terrorist factions on northern and eastern Syria that led to the commission of horrific massacres against the Kurdish people, and the looting of the properties of those forcibly displaced from cities such as Afrin and al-Shahba, led to the disruption of these plans."

While the fall of the regime in Damascus was expected to be the beginning of peace and freedoms and an end to wars in Syria, Turkey showed its expansionist and occupation intentions and attempted to exterminate peoples by refusing and breaching understandings with the Syrian Democratic Forces and the International Coalition, after which it continued its aggressive policy through mobilizing terrorists and racists and direct support for the people of North and East Syria by its army's killing machine, which resulted in the most horrible attacks that included  infrastructure destruction, the ugliest of which was targeting Tishrin Dam and Qarqozak Bridge in an attempt to besiege and occupy the steadfast city of Kobani.

The statement added: "As a result of these difficult circumstances, the dirty war waged by the Turkish state against our people and our region, the legendary resistance of the Forces of Honor and Dignity (the Syrian Democratic Forces), and the general public entering a state of general alert against this war, we have decided not to hold the festival this year."

The statement also extended "deep thanks to the associations and photographers from Egypt, Kurdistan and Iraq for responding to the union's invitation last year and their active participation, expressing its regret for the compelling circumstances imposed by the aggressive Turkish policies and its support for terrorism, which prevented the organization of the festival this year."

The Photographers' Union called in its statement: "Artists and international bodies to stand by the people of North and East Syria the Syrian Democratic Forces, and to carry out their humanitarian and moral duty in exposing the crimes of Turkish terrorism, which did not exclude journalists, media professionals and photographers from its targeting, as many of them were martyred by Turkish bombs and missiles.

The statement called for "pressure on international federations, human rights organizations and active forces to stop Turkish fascism from targeting the people of the region and their gains, and to achieve peace and security, so that it can organize artistic festivals instead of destruction and pain, and to enhance the convergence of peoples with different cultures in northern and eastern Syria."

The statement concluded by emphasizing the union's continuation of its struggle role by documenting these events and conveying the suffering of the Syrian people to the world.

T/ Satt.

ANHA