Bethnahrin National Council condemns Turkish attack that martyred three Sutoro members, calls on US and EU to pressure Turkey 

BETH NAHRIN — The Presidential Body of the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) issued a statement condemning the blatant Turkish attack against the Syriac Security Forces (Sutoro) in Dayrik (Malikiyah / Derik), North and East Syria.

“The Turkish regime and its proxies continue to shed blood and sabotage the livelihoods of the peoples of the Middle East,” read the MUB statement. “On 28 February, Turkish drones targeted the Sutoro [Syriac Security Forces], in Dayrik [Derik / Malikiyah], of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. The Sutoro are exerting precious efforts to keep stability and protect property of the Syriac people and other peoples.”

The MUB has stated that Turkish attacks, in collaboration with the Islamic State (ISIS) and proxies, targeting the people of North and East Syria since 2014 have resulted in numerous civilian casualties and significant demographic shifts. Particularly in 2015, ISIS perpetrated brutal attacks on Syriac-Assyrian villages along the Khabur River Valley, leading to the abduction and murder of hundreds of Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldeans). The resilient response of the Syriac Military Council (Mawtbo Fulhoyo Suryoyo, MFS) has earned admiration and respect from both the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community and global public opinion. The courageous sacrifices made by MFS fighters in defense of Syriac freedom have garnered widespread recognition.

The statement continued:

“The MFS resistance has evolved to be able to protect Syriac people and stand up to the that attacks target them. The MFS resistance has been highlighted in on many fronts, including Cafrin [Afrin], Dayro Zcuro [Deir ez-Zor], Raqqa, Dayrik, Rish Ayno [Ras al-Ayn], Mabbug [Manbij] and others. The MFS fighters have shouldered a historical responsibility to enable the peoples of North and East Syria to live and preserve common values and lay the foundations of democracy. Today, with the same spirit and hope, MFS fighters continue to defend Syriac people.”  

The MUB highlighted that since 2016, the Turkish Army has consistently flouted international laws by deploying heavy weaponry to occupy various regions. Following the seizure of Cafrin in 2018, and Tel Abyad and Rish Ayno in 2019, Turkey persists in its ground and air assaults, aimed at undermining the progress made by the communities of North and East Syria. These ongoing attacks occur amidst a concerning backdrop of international silence, which effectively permits such egregious atrocities to unfold unchecked.

“The MUB first calls on the US, Europe, and all international powers to stop the genocides of the Turkish regime, which is practiced against the peoples of North and East Syria and the Middle East,” read the statement. “We also demand official recognition of the Democratic Autonomous Administration, and take measures to ensure the life of peoples.”

The MUB warned that if the massacres and ethnic cleansing policies practiced against the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people are not stopped, the establishment of democracy, freedom and peace in the Middle East will be impossible.

The MUB pledged to follow the path of martyrs and continue the struggle to achieve the national, social, historical and cultural rights of Syriac people.

The statement concluded:

“The MUB extend heartfelt condolences to families of the martyrs, MFS fighters, Sutoro, Beth Nahrin Women’s Protection Force [Ḥaylawotho d’Sutoro d’Neshe d’Beth Nahrin, HSNB] and Syriac people. We ask for a speedy recovery for the injured. Our national freedom struggle will develop under the MUB leadership with our martyrs’ resistance and Syriac people organized power. Therefore, no force or attacks can stop our holy cause and confident steps. We condemn all forms of attacks against the peoples, values and achievements of North and East Syria. We affirm that the crimes committed will not remain without accountability.”