Twenty-one Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have issued a joint call urging Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, to take a decisive stance against Turkey’s ongoing military aggression in North and East Syria, warning of severe humanitarian and security consequences. In an open letter dated 28 January, the MEPs criticised Kallas for failing to raise concerns over Turkey’s deadly cross-border airstrikes during her recent meetings with high-level officials in Ankara.
The MEPs highlighted the mounting crisis in areas under the governance of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), which has been repeatedly targeted by Turkish forces, and demanded that the EU use its influence to protect civilians and prevent further destabilisation.
“The Autonomous Administration hopes for a stable, peaceful, and inclusive Syria, run by the Syrian people,” the MEPs stated. “But now, as Syria stands at the crossroads, that peace and that model of multiculturalism and feminism is under violent and completely unprovoked attack from Turkish-backed militias and under threat of a full-scale Turkish invasion.”
The appeal follows Kallas’s 24 January visit to Turkey, where she met with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Speaker of Parliament Numan Kurtulmuş. During a joint press conference with Fidan, Kallas discussed Syria’s future but failed draw attention to Turkey’s military operations in North and East Syria, instead focusing on economic aid and Turkey’s role in hosting Syrian refugees.
In their letter, the MEPs expressed alarm over Turkish airstrikes, particularly those targeting key infrastructure, warning that a dam breach could trigger flooding reaching Iraq and lead to mass displacement. “We particularly draw your attention to the situation at the Tishreen (Tîşrîn) Dam over the Euphrates, which is under constant Turkish attack. These attacks have already resulted in the loss of electricity and water supplies for around a million people, and they risk a massive and widespread catastrophe if the dam collapses.”
Citing reports of civilian casualties, the MEPs noted that Turkish strikes on the dam had targeted and killed at least 17 protesters attending a sit-in against the attacks. “Altogether, there have been close to a hundred civilians killed in Turkish attacks since the beginning of December, as Turkey continues to target civilian areas,” the MEPs said. “They have targeted ambulances, assassinated journalists, and destroyed grain stores.”
The MEP's letter highlighted ongoing airstrikes by Turkish forces, including attacks on the Tishreen Dam, which have disrupted electricity and water supplies for nearly a million people. The dam’s collapse could result in widespread flooding and a humanitarian disaster affecting neighbouring Iraq. Local protests at the dam have been targeted by Turkish airstrikes, killing at least 17 civilians.
The signatories also raised concerns about security risks posed by the Turkish offensive, particularly the fate of thousands of Islamic State (ISIS) prisoners detained in AANES-run facilities. They warned that Turkey’s operations could pave the way for mass prison breaks and a resurgence of the Islamist group. “A Turkish takeover could pave the way for a resurgence of the Islamic State,” the MEPs cautioned, calling for EU intervention to prevent further escalation.
“We hope that the European Union can play a part in supporting the exemplary Syrian-led developments in North and East Syria against this destructive and dangerous external intervention—for their sake, for the future of Syria and the Middle East, and for the safety of us all,” the MEPs stressed, urging the EU to take an immediate and principled stand.
Signatories include representatives from multiple political groups in the European Parliament, among them Per Clausen (GUE/NGL), Andreas Schieder (S&D), Nathalie Loiseau (Renew), and Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL).
