Women’s Coordination Body of Administration of North and East Syria condemns appointment of sanctioned militia leader in New Syrian Army

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — The Women’s Coordination Body in the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) has strongly condemned the appointment of Ahmad al-Hayes, a militia leader sanctioned by the US for human rights abuses, as the commander of the 86th Division in the New Syrian Army.

The Women’s Coordination Body accused al-Hayes and his faction, Ahrar al-Sharqiya, of committing grave human rights violations, including crimes against women, trafficking of Yezidis, and the brutal execution of political activist Hevrin Khalaf. Khalaf’s murder, described as a “documented war crime,” involved her summary field execution and the desecration of her body — a violation of international laws and an affront to human dignity, the statement said.

Reaffirming its commitment to the political and democratic ideals upheld by Khalaf and other martyrs of freedom, the Women’s Coordination Body unequivocally rejected any role for war criminals or perpetrators of atrocities in Syria’s future political or military processes. “Those whose hands are stained with Syrian blood must be excluded from shaping the country’s trajectory,” the statement declared.

The group also called on Syrian judicial authorities and international organizations to hold such perpetrators accountable, advocating for their prosecution through international courts and Syrian transitional justice mechanisms to ensure fair trials and justice for victims of war crimes.

At a critical juncture in Syria’s history, with shifting political dynamics, the Women’s Coordination Body accused Turkey of exploiting the crisis to influence the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) for its own agendas, undermining the aspirations of Syrian communities.

The statement underscored the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of all Syrians while advocating for accountability, justice, and inclusive governance as the nation seeks a path forward.