Political parties in North and East Syria condemn Turkish drone attacks against civilians 

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — On Wednesday, 33 political parties and organizations in North and East Syria issued a statement about the Turkish escalation against the regions of North and East Syria.

The statement was read during a press conference by Party of Modernity and Democracy for Syria member Haifaa Mahmoud in front of the local office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR), in the Siyahi neighborhood of Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria.

The statement called out Turkey for not abiding by, and never having respected, the international cease-fire agreements in areas it occupies in northern Syria and stressed that Turkish occupation forces, including Turkey’s proxy force the Syrian National Army (SNA), continue their hostile actions that threaten the security and stability of North and East Syria.

In addition to the targeting of unarmed civilians and economic and health infrastructure, the statement specifically condemned the Turkish drone assassination it carried out on Monday. The drone strike targeted a civilian car outside in the eastern countryside of Zalin which resulted in the martyrdom of Zalin Canton Council Co-Chair Yusra Darwish, Deputy Co-Chair Laiman Shwesh, and driver Furat Tuma and the wounding of Zalin Canton Council Co-Chair Gabriel Chamoun.

The parties also offered their deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and strongly condemned these political assassinations.

They stated that the Turkish attacks will not hamper their will to achieve a democratic transition for Syria in accordance with their national political vision that achieves stability, justice, and democracy.

“We had previously warned that any security normalization between Damascus and Ankara in isolation from a national political solution would only be an entrance for Turkey to resume its crimes against the Syrian people, especially in North and East Syria,” read the statement.

The parties called on the Syrian forces to assume their responsibilities towards the Syrian people and abuse they are exposed to. They stressed the need to unify efforts and visions towards the violations committed by the Turkish occupation.

It also called on Russia and the US-led International Coalition to activate the ceasefire agreements and end their silence towards Turkey’s crimes.