27/03/2024

Organizations of Bathnahrin National Council issue joint plea to halt Turkish attacks in North and East Syria

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — In a united effort, approximately 20 institutions and political parties of the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB), including the Syriac Union Party (SUP), Bethnahrin Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA), Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP), American Syriac Union (ASU), European Syriac Union (ESU), Women’s and Youth institutions, Educational Institutions, and numerous relief organizations, alongside In Defense of Christian (IDC), have issued a joint message to the international community.

Expressing deep concern and urgency, the letter highlighted the escalating Turkish attacks in North and East Syria, urging immediate attention and action to curb the violence.

“As indigenous people of the region, we have witnessed the atrocities committed by Turkey against the people and infrastructure of the region,” the letter states. “The recent Turkish attack on Dayrik (Derik / Malikiyah) in February resulted in the martyrdom of three fighters of the Syriac Security Forces (Sutoro).”

The letter outlined a surge in Turkish assaults since 7 October, causing significant damage to vital facilities such as schools, hospitals, water stations, and electricity facilities.

It condemned Turkey’s deliberate targeting of historically significant communities like the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people, threatening their existence and cultural heritage.

“What is worrying is that Turkey deliberately commits these crimes against the people who have an ancient history and have provided a rich civilization to all mankind,” the letter continued. “Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people in Syria represent the basis of the Christian people, who still speak the language of Christ, but Turkey, through its attacks, threatens to uproot this people from its roots and historical land.”

In addition to denouncing Turkish attacks aimed at ethnic and religious extermination, the letter acknowledged the pivotal role of the military forces affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in combatting terrorism.

Calling for solidarity among individuals, peoples, and democratic forces, the letter implores NATO, the European Union, and the US to intervene, preserve peace and stability, uphold the rights of peoples in North and East Syria, and hold Turkey accountable for its actions.