Women hold international powers responsible for massacres in Sheikh Maqsoud - Ashrafieh

Reactions of anger and denunciation by women and communities continue in response to the attacks and violations carried out by mercenaries of the Interim Government, backed by the Turkish state, against residents of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo.

In this context, women from al-Jazira and Raqqa cantons spoke to ANHA agency. Sakina Abu Zaid from the city of Gerkê Legê stated that international silence regarding what happened in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh is no longer acceptable, noting that it encourages the continuation of violations against civilians.

She affirmed that footage circulated on social media showing grave abuses constitutes war crimes and a blatant violation of humanitarian values and international law, stressing that the world has seen what is happening but has chosen to remain silent.

She added that these crimes have not broken the will or determination of the residents, affirming their continued struggle and defense of their gains. She concluded by calling on the international community and human rights organizations to break their silence and take action to hold those responsible legally accountable.

For her part, Salamat Ramo condemned the massacres and inhumane violations against residents of the two neighborhoods, stating that international silence amounts to direct complicity by giving perpetrators a green light to continue.

She noted that ignoring these crimes raises questions about the seriousness of designating some mercenary groups on terrorism lists, calling for an international investigation, proper documentation of violations, and accountability for those responsible.

Meanwhile, Ghalia Ahmed praised the resistance shown by the residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh and by the Internal Security Forces, describing it as historic in confronting the attacks. She also denounced the violations and assaults targeting civilians, asserting that international silence in the face of these acts constitutes a violation of humanitarian values, and called for urgent action to release abductees and protect civilians.

Hanifa Mohammad from the city of Derik likewise expressed her strong condemnation of what occurred in the two neighborhoods, considering the bystander stance of the international community to be no less dangerous than the crimes committed, and demanded justice and accountability for those responsible.

For her part, Aisha Jawish from the city of Raqqa said that what happened in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh is “regrettable and unacceptable,” stressing the necessity for women to stand hand in hand to confront these crimes and to activate the concept of self-defense and legitimate defense in order to prevent their recurrence.

She added that what the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods experienced falls within a broader context of violations affecting other areas of Syria, emphasizing the importance of continuing resistance to prevent the repetition of massacres and acts of extermination against Syrian components.

She called on international organizations, human rights groups, and relevant regional states to take a serious stance toward the crimes being committed against the Kurds, clarifying that Kurds are an integral part of Syria’s social fabric.

In turn, Afraa al-Ahmad condemned the attacks and crimes targeting civilians in the two neighborhoods and strongly denounced the crime of mercenaries mutilating the body of a member of the Internal Security Forces, appealing to all states and international organizations to break the silence surrounding these violations.

Likewise, Farida Abdul Rahman stated that “the women of Raqqa city strongly condemn and denounce the attacks on the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, particularly the crimes committed against women and children,” affirming that “the unity, strength, and awareness of women constitute the first line of defense against these crimes,” and calling for “the accountability of all those involved, without exception.”

ANHA

REQA