No Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters have been harmed in Turkey’s recent intensified military attacks on Syria’s Kurdish-led autonomous regions, Farhad Shami, the head of the SDF media centre, told the local Hawar news agency (ANHA).
Turkish forces have been carrying out airstrikes on North and East Syria since Saturday, with a particular focus on civilian facilities and infrastructure. The attacks have resulted in the deaths of eight civilians and injured 13 others.
Shami expressed his dismay at the attacks and accused Turkey of deliberately targeting civilian facilities and densely populated areas in the region.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the United States-led Global Coalition’s silence concerning the attacks, Shami called on the Coalition to clarify where it stands. He argued that the ongoing attacks not only undermine joint operations against the Islamic State (ISIS), but also jeopardise efforts to bring stability to the region.
According to the SDF spokesman, the Turkish government appears to be taking advantage of international silence, particularly from the Global Coalition and Russia.
Despite the challenges, Shami reiterated that the SDF remains committed to self defense. “The Syrian Democratic Forces are standing their ground. Just as they protected their people from ISIS mercenaries, terrorism and Turkish occupation, they are committed to protecting their people by effectively confronting all attacks and will not remain silent about them,” he said.
Shami expanded upon the wider implications of the attacks, describing them as an attack on all components of the region and the Middle East. He called on the Kurdish people to raise their voices against Turkish aggression. Shami believes that the collective voice of the Kurdish people is a crucial means of thwarting these attacks.