Since the onset of the Syrian crisis, Turkey has never held back from its assaults and targeting of civilians and the infrastructure of the Kurdish-led autonomous areas of northern Syria, all in plain view of the international community, said the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) on Tuesday.
The statement came hours after a Turkish drone strike killed two of their female civilian officials and their driver and left a third official severely wounded.
Strongly condemning Turkey’s aggressive policies towards the Kurdish-led regions in Syria, the Autonomous Administration called on the US-led Global Coalition Against ISIS, Russia and the international community to break their silence and fulfil their responsibilities in ending the Turkish attacks.
The AANES pointed out that they have managed to establish a form of harmony and present themselves as a model and a potential solution for the Syrian people amidst the chaos and violence of the Syrian war. However, they warned that Turkey’s aggressive actions would push the region into greater danger and uncontrollable chaos.
According to the Administration, Turkey has been conducting these offensives both directly and through proxy mercenaries, as well as providing support to terrorist organisations. Their goal is to create a prolonged conflict in the region and “thus maintain the state of occupation of regions of North and East Syria”, using policies that involve forced displacement and demographic manipulation.
The Administration further highlighted that Turkey’s daily attacks on northern Syria have resulted in horrific crimes, many of which qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity. These reports have been documented and monitored by international human rights and humanitarian organisations.
The AANES pointed out that Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been pursuing a strategic war against the Syrian Kurds, using false pretexts to destabilise the region prior to and since the recent Turkish elections, and said that the continuation of these policies only indicates a shared understanding and alignment between the Astana group and the Turkish government.
Turkey’s aggression against the Kurdish-controlled regions in northern Syria has been escalating recently. Turkish airstrikes claimed the lives of at least seven Syrian government soldiers and a Russian soldier as well as numerous Kurdish fighters and civilians last week.
In the most recent incident, a drone attack targeted a vehicle on the Al-Qahtaniyah (Tirbespiyê) – Qamishli (Qamişlo) road, resulting in the deaths of Qamishli Canton Co-chair Yusra Derwêş, her deputy Lîman Şiwêş, and driver Firat Tûma on Monday. Another official, Qamishli Canton Co-chair Gabî Şemûn, sustained serious injuries in the strike.
Turkish forces have played a prominent role in the war throughout the years, by supporting Islamist rebel factions against the Syrian government while also conducting airstrikes on Kurdish territories. Since 2018, Turkey has launched numerous military incursions into Syria’s Kurdish-led regions, gaining territory in the process.
