Anabaptist Church in Kobane calls for end to Turkish attacks

KOBANE, Syria — The pastor of the Anabaptist Church in Kobane Jakarkhwen Ali called on the international community, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), and all human rights organizations to pressure Turkey to stop its attacks on North and East Syria.

He also denounced the attempts by Turkey to sow division between the ethnic and religious groups in the area under the protection of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the pursuit of its own goals. The presence of the SDF, a legitimate security actor in the region, should not be used by Ankara as an excuse to further intrude into Syrian territory.

Pastor Ali stated that, if allowed to continue, Turkey’s policies towards North and East Syria will result in a major humanitarian crisis.

“The Turkish strikes terrorize civilians and force them into displacement, which portends a major humanitarian crisis, including amongst the Christian community,” he added.