Widespread condemnation of mercenaries' massacres, calls for international investigation

The cities of Qamishlo, Raqqa, Tirbê Spiyê, and Girkê Legê in the North and East Syria Region witnessed the organization of a series of public events, in condemnation of the attacks that targeted the Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh and Bani Zeid neighborhoods in Aleppo and areas of North and East Syria, and in denunciation of the massacres committed against the residents of these neighborhoods.

Qamishlo

The Women's Coordination Committee of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Jazira canton organized a vigil in front of the Peoples' Council building in Qamishlo with the participation of members of the committee, civil councils, women's movements, and representatives of the Autonomous Administration.

During the vigil, the participants held up photographs documenting the massacres and violations, to which the residents of the Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zeid neighborhoods of Aleppo were exposed to, as well as photographs of martyrs of the resistance.

During the gathering, the committee issued a statement, which was read in Kurdish by Rohat Khalil; the head of the Women's Authority in Jazira canton, and in Arabic by Vivian Beho Osi; the co-chair of the Executive Council of Jazira canton.

The statement commemorated the martyrs (Deniz Çiya, Ziyad Halab, Rojbin Hasaka, Dilbrin Qamishlo, Frashin Afrin, Guerilla Amara, Leyla Qasim, and Hawar Qandil), as well as all the martyrs who participated in the resistance in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, expressing reverence and respect for their souls and offering condolences to their families.

The statement noted that the Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zeid neighborhoods have been subjected to systematic and repeated attacks, targeting civilians; women, children, and the elderly, without discrimination, constituting a clear violation of all international laws and conventions.

The statement affirmed that targeting civilians, homes, and humanitarian and educational facilities; hospitals and schools, constitutes a war crime and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, and it contravenes the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, the Hague Convention of 1907, and the Rome Statute, which prohibit targeting civilians, indiscriminate attacks, and assaults on medical personnel.

The statement emphasized that the killing and forced displacement of residents in these neighborhoods constitute a full-fledged genocide, demanding a transparent and independent investigation and the prosecution of those responsible before the International Criminal Court.

The Council concluded its statement by calling upon the UN Security Council to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities regarding these violations, ensure the protection of civilians and civilian and security institutions, and hold accountable those responsible for the crime committed against the martyr Deniz, whose body was mutilated; an act the statement described as reflecting an extremist mentality.

Raqqa

Members of the Women's Coordination and Women's Offices of the Autonomous Administration gathered in front of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria Region building in Raqqa city, where they issued a statement condemning the attacks being launched by the Syrian Transitional Government's mercenaries on the region.

The statement was read by Sawsan al-Khalaf; the vice president of the Women's Coordination, who emphasized that the crimes and violations committed against civilians over the past few days constitute a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law and all relevant international conventions and agreements.

The statement indicated that the systematic attacks that are being launched by the Interim Government's mercenaries against the civilians in the region constitute grave crimes, most notably the mutilation of the body of Internal Security Forces' member Deniz Çiya, in an attempt to spread fear and terrorize the community, particularly women.

The statement affirmed that these acts amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute, as they were committed as part of a collective behavior and systematic policy, citing the mutilation of corpses and publishing their images.

The Women's Coordination strongly condemned the mutilation of corpses and the desecration of martyrs' sanctity, as well as the enforced disappearance of hundreds of civilians and members of the Internal Security Forces, demanding the immediate disclosure of their fate and guarantee of their safety, and holding the ministries of the Interim Government fully responsible for these crimes.

The statement concluded by calling on the international community, the United Nations, and the Human Rights Council to take urgent action to hold the perpetrators of these violations accountable, and form independent and transparent commissions of inquiry to ensure justice and prevent impunity.

Tirbê Spiyê

For its part, the Kongra Star Council issued a statement, with the participation of dozens of women, in which it addressed the attacks on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh and the accompanying massacres and violations against the residents of these neighborhoods. The council administrator Medya Moussa read the statement, in front of the council building in the city center.

The statement began by emphasizing the role of the Kongra Star, whose 21st anniversary falls on Thursday, in unifying women. It explained that every woman has found her place in this women's organization, which in recent years has succeeded in uniting and organizing women across all regions of North and East Syria, and restoring women's status after years of deprivation and the suppression of their rights.

The statement asserted that the mercenaries of the Interim Government are attempting to alter the demographics of the regions by displacing their original inhabitants, as happened in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods. The statement concluded by strongly condemning these violations, and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.

Girkê Legê

The Women's Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the city of Girkê Legê issued a statement condemning the massacres perpetrated by the mercenaries of the Interim Government against the civilians, and denouncing the international community's silence on the matter.

The statement was read by the PYD's co-chair, Shahnaz Abdo, in front of the central market in Girkê Legê.

The statement indicated that these attacks were not random, but rather part of a systematic policy aimed at spreading fear, terrorizing the community, and pressuring civilians. It emphasized that the international community's silence regarding these crimes encourages the perpetrators to continue their violations.

In closing, the Women's Council called upon all international and humanitarian organizations to take immediate action to stop these massacres, hold those responsible accountable, ensure the protection of civilians, and affirm their legitimate right to defend themselves and their properties, stressing that resistance and the defense of life are inalienable rights.

The PYD Women's Council also issued the same statement in the city of Derik, in the presence of dozens of women and members of political parties.

ANHA