Image © Syrians for Truth & Justice
The undersigned organizations warn of the repercussions of the recent military escalation in Northern Syria and call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians, end violations, and respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
Since November 27, 2024, the terrorist-designated group ‘’Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’’ (HTS), has launched a large-scale offensive codenamed the “Deterrence of Aggression” Battle. The offensive led to HTS swiftly seizing control of Aleppo City and large portions of its countryside. The group also took full control of Idlib City and parts of Hama City following the withdrawal and collapse of Syrian government forces and their allied militias in these areas. This was followed by deadly airstrikes by the Syrian/Russian air forces on hospitals and other civilian targets in Aleppo and Idlib Governorates, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties, both dead and wounded.
Subsequently, on November 30, 2024, the Turkish-backed opposition Syrian National Army (SNA) exploited the dramatic shifts in the frontlines, and launched a military operation dubbed “Dawn of Freedom” in Northern Aleppo and al-Shahba Region, which are under the control of the People Protection Units (YPG). This operation forcibly displaced tens of thousands of Internally Displaced People (IDPs), most of whom are Kurdish residents of Afrin, towards areas in Northeast Syria.
This marked yet another instance of forced displacement for these individuals, who had previously been uprooted in 2018 by the same forces during Turkey’s “Operation Olive Branch”.
A series of crimes and violations against Kurdish civilians, including Yezidis, have been documented at the hands of the attacking forces. These violations include the detention of numerous civilians, acts of murder, looting, assaults on convoys of displaced people, verbal abuse, and mistreatment. Simultaneously, video footage has emerged showing detainees being beaten, alongside other videos featuring unprecedented incitement and hate speech targeting Kurds in Syria.
Reports indicate that a group of civilian returnees was arrested, while others were subjected to humiliation and had their personal belongings stolen during attempts of scores of families to return to their hometown in Afrin Region. Additionally, cases of missing persons were also documented.
The below undersigned Syrian organizations warn that this recent military escalation marks a critical turning point in the Syrian conflict, raising genuine concerns among many Syrian communities, particularly religious and ethnic minorities with a long history of facing violations. There are also concerns among residents of areas outside the government control, which have witnessed airstrikes by Syrian and Russian government forces, resulting in civilian casualties.
We, the organizations undersigned to this statement, therefore, strongly condemn the crimes and violations committed against the civilians by all parties to the conflict and demand the following:
The United Nations Security Council:
- Issue an urgent resolution to ceasefire and halt military escalations in all conflict zones in Syria.
- Take practical measures to ensure the protection of civilians, hold perpetrators of violations accountable, and enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid.
United Nations Agencies and International Humanitarian Organizations:
- Launch an emergency response to meet the basic needs of tens of thousands of displaced persons, including shelter, food, water, and medical care.
- Ensure the safe and non-discriminatory delivery of humanitarian aid to all affected areas.
- Support initiatives to enhance food security and address the long-term needs of the displaced persons.
Parties to the Conflict in Syria:
- Comply with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and protect civilians from both direct and indirect targeting.
- Cease all military operations resulting in forced displacement and violations against civilians.
- Allow independent organizations access to affected areas to document violations and assess the needs.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) and the United Nations International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism (IIIM):
- Conduct a comprehensive, thorough and transparent investigation into the crimes committed in Northern Syria during the recent military escalation and publish a report on them.
- Collect and analyze evidence related to the crimes committed in Northern Syria, as well as coordinate with international judicial bodies to ensure accountability for the perpetrators.
War Crimes Units in Countries with Laws Allowing Prosecutions Under Universal Jurisdiction Principle:
Expand structural investigations into crimes committed in Syria to include those occurring across Northern Syria by all parties to the conflict.
The signatory organizations, listed in alphabetical order, are:
1. Access Organization
2. Accountability Advocates Organization
3. Act for Afrin
4. Afrin Platform
5. Al-Raja Organization for Relief and Development
6. AlـKhaboor Association
7. Almonqith organization for Human Rights
8. Alseeraj Humanitarian Organizatin
9. Alzajel Organizatin
10. Amal for development
11. Ambassadors Association for Persons with Disabilities
12. Analysis and Strategic Studies Organization – ASSO
13. ARAS Association
14. Areejorganisation
15. Artist Team for Arts, Culture and Children
16. Ashavan
17. ASHNA for Development
18. Ashti Center for Peacebuilding
19. Bader for Community Development
20. Baladna organization
21. Better Hope for Al-Tabqa
22. Center of Peace and Freedom for Civil Society and Human Rights
23. Chaushka Women’s Association
24. Citizenship Association for Homan Rights
25. Coalition of Civil Society – CSO – NES
26. Community Solidarity organization
27. Creat a Path Organization
28. Dan for Relief and Development
29. DAR Association for Victims of Forced Displacement
30. Dari Center
31. Desteya Yasayî Kurdî
32. Development Seeds Centre
33. Dijla Organization for Development and Environment
34. DOZ ORGANIZATION
35. DUDERI
36. Ella Organization for Development and Peacebuilding
37. Emaar Almanaura
38. Emin Association for Supporting and Caring for Children with Cancer
39. Enlil Center
40. European and American Solidarity Committee for Afrin-Espoir Afrin
41. ÊVAR e.V.
42. Ezdina Organization
43. Fajr Organization
44. Fariq Snnae Almustaqbal
45. For Them Humanitarian Organization
46. Fourat Organization
47. Free Kurdish Women’s Organization
48. Green Tress
49. Habitat International Coalition – Housing and Land Rights Network
50. Hajeen Technical Organization
51. Hikaet AMAL
52. HOPE Afrin
53. Hope Makers
54. Horan Forum for Citizenship
55. HORI Organisation For Human Rights
56. Human Rights Organization Efrin – Syria
57. Human Rights Organization Syria – Jazeera
58. Insight Organization
59. International Solidarity Association for Peace
60. Jian Organization for Humanity
61. Jiyan e.V.
62. Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights
63. Justice Center for Human Rights
64. Justice Network for Prisoners in Iraq
65. Kobani for Relief and Development
66. Kurdischer Kulturverein Wolfsburg e.v
67. Kurdish Committee for Human Rights – Observer
68. Kurdish Cultural Association in Geneva
69. Kurdish Feminist Voices – Dengé femînîten kurd
70. Kurdish-Swiss Alliance Association
71. Kurdistan Human Rights Reporters Center
72. Lekolin for legal stadies and researchs
73. Lelun Association for Victims
74. Life Step environmental Association
75. Lights For Development And Construction
76. Lots Association
77. Malva Organization for Arts, Culture and Education
78. Mawj for development
79. Mitan Center for the Revival of Civil Society
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80. Nabd Team
81. Nasmet Amal Organisation
82. National Assembly for the Construction of Afrin
83. Nudem Organization
84. Nujeen Association of Community Development
85. Okkaz
86. Orgnaization Zagon
87. Payam Center For Mental Health and Human Development
88. PEACE LAND
89. PEACE SHE LEADER NETWORK
90. PÊL- Civil Waves
91. Platforma Armanc for Civil Society
92. Raman e.V
93. RÊ for rehabilitation and development
94. Reng for Development
95. Rescue and Relief Team
96. Rights Defese Initiative- RDI
97. Roj kar for Relief and Development
98. Rojava Association for Kurdish Culture and Literature
99. Rojava Conseil in France
100. Rojava Relief and Development Organization
101. Rose for Support and Empowerment
102. Rouaa Future for Development
103. Sahem Organization for Cooperation and Development
104. Salam Organization
105. Sara Organization to Combat Violence Against Women
106. Sawaeed Organization for Relief and Development
107. Shamal charitable Society
108. Share for Community Development
109. Slav Organization for Civil Activities
110. Small Dreams Group
111. Smart – Zerik
112. Society for Threatened Peoples – Germany
113. Step organisation for Democracy and Election
114. Swaedna Organization for
115. Synergy Association for Victims
116. Syrian Center for Studies and Dialogue
117. Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ)
118. Tal-Abyad Forum for Civil Society
119. Tara Organization
120. The Committee of Displaced People from Serê Kaniyê/Ras al-Ain
121. Tree of Life Development Organization
122. Vejîn Intiative
123. Wecare
124. Wesal Organization
125. White Hope Organization
126. White Human Organization
127. Women for Peace
128. YASA – The kurdish center for studies and legal consultancy
129. Youth for Change
130. Zagros Human Rights Center
