Chris Den Hond, reporting for Medya News from northeast Syria, joined a European delegation on their fact-finding mission to the region. The group, consisting of French MPs Danielle Simonnet and Thomas Porte, Paris City Council members Geneviève Garrigos and Jérôme Gleizes, and Dylan Boutiflat of the French Socialist Party, engaged with Kurdish representatives amidst ongoing Turkish attacks and humanitarian challenges.
The delegation met with Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) Commander Rohilat Afrin near al-Hasakah (Hasakê). The commander underscored the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)’s goal to integrate into the Syrian Army as a collective entity while maintaining autonomy, warning against forced disarmament, which could lead to greater instability. She also highlighted Turkey’s influence over Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), cautioning that external interventions by regional powers could further complicate Syria’s path to unity.
At the SDF headquarters, media spokesperson Ajar Dawomed reiterated the necessity of maintaining an independent defence force, citing Turkey’s aggression, including drone attacks on critical infrastructure like the Tishreen Dam. Dawomed urged the Damascus government to act against these violations.
The delegation also visited al-Hol camp, which houses nearly 40,000 displaced individuals and ISIS-affiliated families. Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) officials announced plans for voluntary returns of Syrian residents but stressed the need for international guarantees to ensure their safety in areas controlled by Turkey-backed forces. They also reiterated their long-standing call for an international tribunal to address ISIS-linked detainees in the region.
French delegation’s calls for action
French MP Thomas Porte criticised President Macron’s lack of concrete action in supporting the Kurds. He pledged to push for investigations into the 2013 Paris assassinations of Kurdish activists and called for France to lift restrictions on Kurdish organisations, including unfreezing Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members’ assets. Dylan Boutiflat supported Kurdish inclusion in Syria’s constitutional process, recognising it as vital for democratic reconstruction.
AANES appeals for support
The AANES called on the international community to address Turkey’s escalating aggression and provide assistance to ensure stability and security in the region. Officials emphasised the importance of global solidarity in protecting displaced persons and supporting the region’s autonomous governance model.
As the delegation continues their visit to Raqqa and Kobanê in the following days, the calls for Kurdish inclusion, international action against Turkish aggression, and solutions to the al-Hol camp crisis highlight the region’s enduring challenges and the need for global cooperation.
