Turkey’s attacks on NE Syria are war crimes

The civil society organizations in Hasaka issued a public statement regarding Turkey's recent attacks on the NE Syria region. The statement was delivered at the Al-Hamama Roundabout in the Tal Hajar neighborhood, with dozens of organization members and representatives of political parties in attendance.

The statement condemned in the strongest terms the occupation’s attacks on the region and the targeting of vital facilities that provide services to citizens and contribute to strengthening the region’s security and stability.

The statement considered these attacks a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and a threat to regional security and stability. It added, "The continued Turkish military attacks on civilians in North and East Syria constitute a war crime according to Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court."

The statement demanded an immediate halt to the attacks on civilians, infrastructure, and essential facilities, calling for respect for international humanitarian law. It emphasized that "the deliberate targeting by the Turkish government amounts to war crimes under the provisions of international criminal law."

The statement called on the United Nations Security Council and the European Union to take immediate measures to protect civilians and their fundamental rights. It also called on the international coalition and the United States to close the airspace to Turkish warplanes and drones, and to reject any actions that destabilize the region and undermine efforts to combat ISIS mercenaries.

The statement further urged the Independent International Commission of Inquiry and the United Nations’ International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to intensify the collection of evidence on grave human rights violations committed by all parties in Syria, including the Turkish occupation.

A-H

ANHA