Arabic to English Translation*
It has been six years since the Turkish occupation of the Afrin region, northwest Syria, on March 18, 2018, with the participation of militias affiliated with the so-called ‘Syrian National Army’ linked to the Syrian Brotherhood Coalition, and with cover from fatwas by ‘Imam Al-Khatib’ and ‘extremist Muslim scholars’ and the ‘Syrian Islamic Council – Istanbul’… Violations and various crimes continue, with systematic steps and policies of new Ottoman racism and expansionist ambitions for Ankara and its rulers, most notably demographic change, by closing the crossings preventing the forcibly displaced from returning, especially from the displacement areas such as Aleppo and its northern countryside, and the Syrian interior, estimated at around /200,000/ people, and the resettlement of approximately /600,000/ individuals from the families of armed militias and newcomers from the Ghouta, Homs, Hama, Idlib country sides and Aleppo, leading to a decrease in the Kurdish presence from /95%/ to below /20%/ currently.
Amidst sustained chaos and outlaw, which clearly exposes the lies and claims of Turkey’s rulers and their loyalists about the availability of security and stability in the Syrian areas they occupied, except for the missing, fate unknown kidnapped, and the forcibly disappeared detainees, there were /299/ civilian casualties and martyrs from the people of the Afrin region who lost their lives under the occupation (March 18, 2018 – March 16, 2024), including /64/ children and /50/ women, with /19/ of them during the last sixth year of the occupation, killed or died under various circumstances (under torture, direct killing, execution, bombings and landmine explosions, while crossing into Turkey, or due to shelling of displaced areas of Afrin ‘villages and towns of Shahba and Sheirawa – north of Aleppo’ and landmine explosions there, or as a result of exchange of fire between the Turkish army and its militias on one side and the Syrian army and its allies on the other along the frontlines in Mount Leelon); besides those who died under psychological pressure and harsh living conditions resulting from the occupation and its consequences, and those who died due to the earthquake on February 6, 2023, because of negligence and delayed rescue operations amidst the low capabilities of civil defense and the reluctance of the occupation authorities to fulfill their duties and responsibilities, especially since Turkey’s role was absent in facing the repercussions of the earthquake that caused a disaster in the Afrin region.
They are:
1——— 299
The crimes committed against civilians, which rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity, require condemnation from all parties claiming to adhere to human rights principles. Independent and impartial investigations, particularly by the International Independent Investigation Commission Concerning Syria, to uncover and hold accountable those responsible for these crimes. Efforts should be made to punish perpetrators and provide moral and material compensation to the victims’ families.
The Turkish occupation authorities, extremist militias and mercenaries loyal to it often evade accountability for their violations and crimes, either by attributing them to unknown entities or through superficial measures, allowing criminals to escape punishment. Moreover, victims’ families are often coerced into relinquishing their rights and forced into nominal reconciliation in most of the cases. The constant intimidation of residents pushes them towards forced migration.
The Ankara government bears full responsibility for the events in the region and its inhabitants, acting as a military occupying country with effective control. It fails to take practical, legal, and security measures to protect civilian lives, instead covering up the actions of its army and affiliated militias, protecting them and encouraging hostility towards Kurds wherever they may be. These actions constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law, the UN Charter, and international agreements.
The people of Afrin appeal to UN institutions, the UN Security Council, influential international powers in the Syrian arena, human rights and civil organizations, and various media outlets to play their role in putting an end to violations and crimes. They also urge assistance for forcibly displaced individuals to return to their homes and reclaim their properties safely. Serious efforts are needed to end the Turkish occupation, defeat extremist militias and mercenaries, and restore Syrian sovereignty over Afrin for its inhabitants.
16.03.2024
Media Office-Afrin
Kurdish Democratic Unity Party in Syria (Yekiti)
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Images:
– List of names and photos of /299/ civilian victims, martyrs, and murdered individuals from the Afrin region under Turkish occupation (March 18, 2018 – March 16, 2024) – /10/ tables.
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* Under the supervision of the European Organization of the Kurdish Democratic Unity Party in Syria (Yekîtî).
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