The workshop ‘The Struggle against ISIS and the Fate of the Imprisoned ISIS Members’ was concluded yesterday, 26 February, in Sulaymaniyah, and the conclusion, in which a call was made to all parties, local and international forces to support the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against ISIS, was announced.
The workshop started at 9:00 am at the Dawa Hotel in Sulaymaniyah and various Kurdish politicians and groups working against ISIS and individuals from Rojava participated in the workshop, which was organised by the Autonomous Region of North and East Syria and the Western Support Front.
The conference consisted of two panels, covering topics such as: the organisation of the gangs in the region; potential official recognition of the Autonomous Administration and its impact on the fight against ISIS; strategy in the war on terror and the responsibility of international forces against ISIS; the importance of national unity in the fight against ISIS; the threat of terrorism in Iraq; the fate of Iraqi ISIS prisoners in Western prisons; the massacre perpetrated by ISIS on Yazidis and the risk of a recurrence of massacres in the region.
Among the participants in the workshop were Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) co-chair Zeynep Muradi, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) chair Sadi Ehmed Pire, PUK Politburo member Aram Qadır Xelat, Kurdish politician Dr. Mehemed Emin Pencewini, the Kurdish Freedom Movement (Tevgera Azadi) co-chair Mehemed Abdullah, Iraqi politician Eshad Ibadi, North and East Syria Autonomous Deputy Co-President of Administration Bedran Çiya Kurd, representatives of Makhmour People’s Assembly, representatives of Kakai, Sebek and Feyli Kurdish and representatives of the Autonomous Administration of Sinjar.
The main points raised in the workshop were as follows:
-The recent attack on the Sina Prison in Haseke shows that ISIS is still alive and still poses a threat to the whole world.
-There should be international support for prisons to be monitored and controlled in accordance with international prison standards.
-Establishing a tribunal in the Autonomous Region for the prosecution of ISIS gangs.
-Work should be carried out to encourage the return of ISIS families to their countries. Support should also be provided to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in the search for a legal solution.
-Taking into account the economic situation in the Autonomous Region, the Caesar Act (the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act) needs to be reconsidered, as the secret cells of ISIS are able to go into action by taking advantage of the situation.
-Supporting AANES to improve the situation of the people, to prepare a programme to reintegrate women and children into society.
-The districts occupied by Turkey have become centres and military bases for ISIS. Regional forces and parties must put pressure on Turkey to leave these areas, which have become safe havens for ISIS.
-Turkey is taking advantage of ISIS to cause chaos in Syria, in the region and generally in North and East Syria.
-A two-way legal solution must be found to the position of ISIS in the region. A proper discussion must be carried out in Syria and a solution must be found.
-There should be political and economic cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and the Autonomous Administration. Also, Rojava and South Kurdistan should wage a joint struggle against the ISIS threat.
-The situation in Sinjar (Shengal) should also be addressed. Security support should be provided for the return of the people to Sinjar. Subsequently, efforts should also be made to provide material and moral assistance to Sinjar.
-It is important to ensure cooperation between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Iraqi forces on both sides of the border in order to reduce the movement of ISIS in the region and to protect the interests of both sides.
-More pressure should be put on the international community to re-open the border gates of al-Ya’rubiyah (Til Koçer and Rebie) to help solve the economic problem and the humanitarian situation.
