The United Nations needs to reconsider a more pragmatic approach that prioritises the welfare of the population over political considerations, Bedran Çiya Kurd said on Sunday, urging the deployment of specialised teams to investigate the recent wave of Turkish air strikes in North and East Syria.
The statement issued by Çiya Kurd, the co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), outlined the alarming extent of the damage inflicted upon the region by the Turkish military, emphasising the catastrophic impact on civilian infrastructure and vital facilities. These attacks have resulted in dire consequences for millions of vulnerable civilians, including hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people who are currently residing in camps and makeshift shelters.
The official further highlighted that the Turkish attacks have created challenging conditions for establishing security and maintaining stability, especially in the face of extensive limitations on international humanitarian efforts in the region.
“It is necessary for the United Nations to reconsider the programs and campaigns it is following in its support of the region, and to urgently search for ways to open crossings in support of current humanitarian situations and prevent their politicization,” Çiya Kurd concluded.
On 5 October, Turkey carried out several air strikes, artillery barrages and drone attacks on Kurdish-held areas of Syria. These attacks specifically targeted civilians and vital infrastructure, including gas, water, electricity and oil facilities. The AANES considers Turkey’s actions to be war crimes and a form of genocide.
