Home Press releases & statements Updated: Northern Syria: 200 Syrian Organizations Condemn Turkey’s Attacks and Call on the International Community to Intervene

Updated: Northern Syria: 200 Syrian Organizations Condemn Turkey’s Attacks and Call on the International Community to Intervene

The UN Security Council must hold an emergency meeting regarding the recent Turkish attacks, exert pressure to stop them, and protect civilians and infrastructure, giving effect to the provisions of international law

by bassamalahmed
602 views Download as PDF This post is also available in: Arabic, Turkish Font Size A A A
Fires in the Saida oil field due to airstrikes that targeted energy resources and civilian objects in Northeastern Syria during Turkey-led Operation Claw-Sword. Taken on 24 November 2022. Credit: STJ

Press Release:

Turkey intensified military activities in the northeastern parts and several areas in the western parts of Syria over the second half of 2022. However, the escalation climaxed on 20 November 2022, when the Turkish army launched the operation code-named “claw-sword.” With the new incursion, Turkey purportedly is responding to the terrorist attack on Taksim Street even though the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) denied involvement in the bombing.

Over the first two days of the operation, Turkish aircraft and drones bombarded several civilian objects, including a hospital equipped to offer medical services to children and a former COVID-19 care facility in Kobanî/Ayn al-Arab, in Aleppo’s countryside. Additionally, the airstrikes targeted the silos in the suburbs of al-Dirbasiyah, in al-Hasakah, and a power station in the suburbs of al-Malikiyah/Derik. The attacks killed several civilians, among them a journalist, and injured others.

Following the initial attacks, the Turkish military widened the scope of their airstrikes. Turkish air forces targeted new areas in the rural parts of al-Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor and even hit the Hol Camp. With the expansion, aerial bombing also became more hostile.

Turkish aircraft hit several vital facilities, including power stations and oil and gas resources. The attacks rendered several of the targeted facilities inoperable, straining the infrastructure already dilapidated by the conflict, which has been ongoing since 2011. Consequently, the attacks denied the local communities in the affected areas and millions of residents across other Syrian territories access to energy.

In parallel with the Turkish incursion, several missiles also landed in A’zaz, controlled by the Syrian armed opposition groups, on 22 November 2022. The attack killed and injured civilians.

Notably, grave human rights violations and war crimes marked all of Turkey’s incursions into Syria since 2016. During and after the Turkey-led operations, the military repeatedly horrified and initiated attacks on the villages, towns, and cities across northern Syria. Hostilities destabilized these areas, which today are home to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled their original places of residence in other parts of the country to the safety of its north.

The recent Turkish attacks renewed concerns over displacement. The hostilities have already forced several locals to escape their homes and threaten to displace thousands of others should they continue, and in case Turkey decides to start a ground incursion. Notably, prospective displacement waves threaten to over-stretch humanitarian response efforts that have already been exhausted by previous incursions. Considering this, the undersigned organizations condemn the military escalation in northeastern Syria and the Istanbul bombing and demand that Turkey end attacks on civilians and civilian objects immediately and demonstrate respect for international humanitarian law. Additionally, the undersigned organizations demand that:

  1. The United Nations Security Council hold an emergency meeting regarding the recent military escalation and Turkish attacks, exert pressure to stop the hostilities, and protect civilians and infrastructure, implementing the provisions of international law and the powers of the Council under the Charter of the United Nations (UN).
  2. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic issue a special briefing on the violations that accompanied the recent military attacks and publish a special report on human rights violations perpetrated across northern Syria by all parties in the conflict.
  3. The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism intensify the collection of evidence so that it is comprehensive and attests to all parties in the conflict and the violations they perpetrated against civilians and civilian objects in northern Syria.
  4. War crimes units in European countries, whose national laws warrant universal jurisdiction, expand structural investigations into international crimes in Syria, to include those committed across the northern parts of the country by all parties in the conflict.
  5. UN agencies and humanitarian organizations intensify relief and humanitarian efforts so that there is an immediate response to the humanitarian needs resulting from the recent military escalation, especially since the attacks have been targeting civilian objects, vital facilities, and infrastructure.

Organizations and Associations Signing the Statement:

  1. Aataa for Relief and Development
  2. Abdaa Organisation for Developmant
  3. Adel Center For Human Rights
  4. Afrin Platform
  5. Ajyal Organizati
  6. Al Birr organization in Qamishli
  7. Al Manarah Organization For Development
  8. Al-Asil Association for Development
  9. Albaghooz Hope for Development
  10. Al-Diyar Society
  11. Al-Hasakah Organization for Relief and Deve
  12. Allied for Peace Organization
  13. Al-Raja Organization for Relief and Development
  14. Amal Al-Furat Organisation
  15. Anwar Algad Organaization
  16. Arak of East Organization
  17. ARAS Charity
  18. Areej Organization for Social Development
  19. Arjuan for Human Development
  20. ASHNA for Development
  21. Ashtar Development Organization
  22. Ashti Peacebuilding Center
  23. ASO Analysis and Strategic Studies Organization
  24. Assyrian Society for Helping and Development
  25. Ataa al-Baghouz Organization
  26. Atyaf Development Association
  27. Awda for DEVELOPMENT
  28. Ayadi Moubsra Organization – SoS
  29. Baladna Organization for Civil Society
  30. Balsam Center for Health Education
  31. Bedaya Organization
  32. Better Hope for Al-Tabqa
  33. Better Life Organization
  34. Better Tomorrow Organization
  35. Bridges of Love Organization
  36. Bukra Ahla Association for Relief and Development
  37. Bzoug Organization for Development
  38. R.O Organization
  39. Center for Defense of Liberties
  40. Center for research and Protection women’s rights in Syria
  41. Civil Community Youth Organization
  42. Cloud Organization
  43. Community Solidarity Organaization
  44. DAN for Relief and Development
  45. Dari Organisation
  46. Deirna Organization for Development
  47. Demos
  48. Development – Seed – Center
  49. Development Without Borders Organization
  50. Dijla Organization for Development and Environment
  51. Documentation Violations Center in Northern Syria
  52. DOZ
  53. DURAT ALFURAT Organization
  54. dyaalaml
  55. Ebdaa organisation for develop ment
  56. Edraak Organization for Development and Peace
  57. Ella Organization for Development and Peacebuilding
  58. Emaar Mansura
  59. ENGINEERING for service’s
  60. Enlil Center
  61. Enma Aljazera Organization
  62. ENMAA Organisation
  63. Ensaf for Development
  64. Euphrates Organization for Relief and Development
  65. EWAS (Environment and Water Association)
  66. Ezdina
  67. M.T – Future Makers Team
  68. Faidh Organisation for Development
  69. Fajr Organization
  70. FDO – Organisation
  71. Fikra Organization
  72. For Them Organisation
  73. FOR YOU Organization
  74. Free Kurdish Women Organization
  75. Friends Charity Association
  76. Furatna for Development
  77. Future Hands Organization
  78. Ghaith Organisation for Development
  79. Green Branch Organization
  80. Green Tress
  81. Green Women’s Association
  82. Hadaf Organaization for Humanitarian
  83. Hajen Technicians Organization
  84. Haneen AlFurat
  85. Hevdesti-Synergy Association for Victims
  86. Hevy Organisation for Relief and Development
  87. HLD – Association for Development
  88. Holm Organization For Development
  89. Hope Makers
  90. House of Citizenship
  91. Humanity Ray
  92. Inaash Organization for Development
  93. Intensive Care Association
  94. IWAA Organization
  95. Jan center for special needs
  96. Jasmine Association
  97. Jian Charity Association
  98. Jinar for for Development
  99. Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights
  100. Jsor Alamal Organization
  101. Khabour Association
  102. Khutwa Association
  103. Kobani for Relief and Development – (KRD)
  104. Kurdish Committee for Human Rights (Rased)
  105. Kurdish Feminist Voices
  106. Lasting Peace Organizations for Development
  107. Leading Women Organization for Development and Health Care
  108. Lights for development and construction
  109. Maakom for development and Peace
  110. Malva for Arts and Culture
  111. Manara Organization
  112. Mary Association for Culture, Arts and Environment
  113. Media Academy Organization
  114. Mine Action Office
  115. Mitan Center for the Revival of Civil Society
  116. Moltka Alnhren Organization
  117. Nabd Team
  118. Nasmet Amal Organisation
  119. National Syrian Alliance
  120. Nawat Organization
  121. Nextep Organization
  122. Nisaa Alamal Organization
  123. Noun for development and support for women and children
  124. Okaaz Organization
  125. Organization for Feminism
  126. Path Creation Organization
  127. Payam center for mental health and humam development
  128. PCSC – Peace and Civil Society Center
  129. Peace Bridges Organization for Development
  130. Peace Humane Society
  131. Peace Land
  132. Peace Tent
  133. Peace She Leader Network
  134. PÊL- Civil Waves
  135. Peyam Association For Orphan Care
  136. Purity Organization
  137. Qadar Organization
  138. QRD – Organization for Research and Development
  139. Ras al-Ain/Serê Kaniyê Platform
  140. Reng Organization for development
  141. Rescue and Relief Team
  142. Restoration Hope Association
  143. Roaamustkbl Organization
  144. Road Organasishn
  145. Roj Kar for relief and development
  146. ROJ Organization for Mine Control (Mine Action).
  147. Rojhilat for Relief and Development
  148. Rose for Support and Empowerment
  149. Sahem Organization for cooperation and development
  150. SAMA Organization
  151. Sanabel Euphrates Organization for Development
  152. Sara organization to combat violence against women
  153. Sawaed Organization for Development
  154. SCSD – Syrian Center for Studies and Dialogue
  155. SEl Organization for Development and Empowerment
  156. Shabab Oxygen
  157. Shams Al Ghad
  158. Shams Organisation
  159. Shaqayiq Al Khayr
  160. SHAR for Development
  161. Share for Community Development
  162. Shawshaka Association for Women
  163. Shilan Association for Relife and Development
  164. Shurooq Organisation Development
  165. Silav Center For Civic activities
  166. SMART
  167. Sphere Development Organization
  168. Stability Support Centre
  169. Swaedna Organization for Relief and Development
  170. Syria foundation sustainable development
  171. Syria Help Organization
  172. Syriac Cross Organization for Relief and Development
  173. Syrian Cancer Society
  174. Syrian Center for Cevelopment
  175. Syrian House of Renaissance Association
  176. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
  177. Syrians for Truth and Justice – STJ
  178. Taa marbouta
  179. TARA Organization
  180. Tayif Humanitarian Organization
  181. TEVIN
  182. The Four Seasons Organization
  183. The Kurdish Cultural Association in Denmark
  184. Together for a Bettar Future
  185. Together for Algarnya
  186. Together for Dair Ezzour
  187. Tomorrow Organizations
  188. Tree of Life Organization
  189. Vision
  190. Weqaya Association
  191. Wesal Organsition
  192. Wheat & Olive Platform
  193. Women for Peace
  194. Women Future Organsition for development
  195. Youth for Change
  196. Youth Optimistic
  197. Zakon Organization
  198. Zameen Organization for Development and Peacebuilding
  199. ZIRAK Organization for Development
  200. Zorna Development

Related Publications

Leave a Comment

* By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More