Three years after Teql Beql massacre, justice still missing

Today marks the third anniversary of the Teql Beql massacre, carried out by the Turkish occupying state on the night of 19–20 November 2022. Its impact remains vivid in the memories of the people of Derik and the wider region of North and East Syria. Three years have passed, yet the scenes of destruction, the sounds of explosions, and the final cries of civilians still haunt the collective memory of the area.

Around 12:00 a.m. that night, Turkish warplanes launched a series of intense airstrikes targeting dozens of vital sites across North and East Syria and Southern Kurdistan. The most prominent target was the fourth power station in the village of Teql Beql in the Derik countryside. The strike completely destroyed the station and killed one of its guards, in addition to damaging nearby oil facilities.

At around 1:00 a.m., civilians rushed to the site to rescue the injured. As residents gathered to issue a statement condemning the attack, Turkish jets struck the area again, causing more casualties. Among martyrs was ANHA Agency’s correspondent, journalist Issam Abdullah, who had been documenting the shelling.

The death toll that night reached 11 civilians, including women and men, and six others were injured.

The martyrs were: journalist Issam Abdullah, and civilians Hussein Ali, Hilal Qasim, Hadiya Abdullah, Ubaid Khalid, Faiz Abdullah, Cicik Harouni, Nouri Jeftji, Hussein Khelto, Mazen Ousi, and Mahmoud Ali.

The injured were: Nazir Jouel (65), Mohammad Hawas (26), Metin Karo (20), Andok Ali (35), Saeed Cankir (30), and Wasf al-Din (30).

The Turkish attacks extended across many areas of the Jazira Canton—Derik, Girkê Legê, Tirbespi, Qamishlo, Amuda, Darbasiyah, Tal Tamr, Zirghan, Kobani, and Tal Rifaat—causing massive destruction to infrastructure and knocking water, electricity, and gas services out of operation, depriving millions of basic necessities.

Hassan Abdullah, father of ANHA martyred correspondent Issam Abdullah, recalled that night: “Issam went to the strike site to document what the Turkish state was doing to our people, to show the world the reality on the ground. While carrying out his duty as a journalist, Turkish warplanes directly targeted civilians, including my son, in Teql Beql. Turkey committed yet another massacre, added to its long record of violations against our people.”

He stressed that Turkey deliberately targeted infrastructure in North and East Syria without distinguishing between Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, and others—communities united in their resistance and committed to defending their land.

He added that the family had submitted documentation and reports to several European and Arab states, as well as to the United Nations, but these efforts have not led to any concrete action toward holding Turkey accountable.

Hassan Abdullah emphasized the urgent need to prosecute Turkey for its crimes against civilians—especially children and women—during the revolution in North and East Syria. He called on the international community to take serious action to stop Turkey’s ongoing violations.

Aven Abdulaziz, wife of martyr Hussein Khelto, described the massacre as one of the most painful moments in her life:

“My husband was a civilian. He went to the site to help rescue the injured and save those still alive. But the brutal airstrikes continued, directly targeting civilians. The victims’ bodies were burned, including my husband’s.”

She stressed that Turkey must be held accountable for its atrocities and warned that ignoring such crimes amounts to complicity with the aggressor and endangers the lives of civilians in the region.

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ANHA