Kurdish Autonomous Administration Criticizes US, Russia Silence Over Turkish Raids

Flames rising from the power station in Qamishli on Monday after a Turkish bombing (EPA)
Flames rising from the power station in Qamishli on Monday after a Turkish bombing (EPA)
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Kurdish Autonomous Administration Criticizes US, Russia Silence Over Turkish Raids

Flames rising from the power station in Qamishli on Monday after a Turkish bombing (EPA)
Flames rising from the power station in Qamishli on Monday after a Turkish bombing (EPA)

A prominent Kurdish official said the US administration and Russia were responsible for the escalation of recent Turkish attacks in northeast Syria, demanding intervention of the Security Council and the implementation of international ceasefire resolutions.
On Monday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) said in a statement that Türkiye launched more than seven military airstrikes in its recent attacks.
Turkish aircraft also targeted five of the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) checkpoints and oil sites and facilities.
The statement explained that the continuous bombing over the past 72 hours targeted 45 facilities, homes, and civilian property, injuring six citizens.

The AANES said Türkiye is launching a blatant cross-border attack targeting civilian infrastructure, aiming to displace them and empty the region of its indigenous population, according to deputy co-chair of the Executive Council Badran Jia-Kurd.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Jia-Kurd said the Turkish attack is part of Ankara's war to strike social solidarity and the political process led by the Autonomous Administration.
He condemned the US and Russia's silence regarding the repeated Turkish attacks, adding that Washington and Moscow must pressure Türkiye to stop its aggression.
"Our forces are committed to their right to respond to hostile attacks in the areas controlled by Türkiye and its loyal factions."
The Kurdish official said the US and Russian armies are deployed in these areas under military agreements to reduce the escalation.
He demanded that Washington and Moscow present the Turkish crimes to the Security Council due to Türkiye's failure to adhere to the ceasefire resolution and obstructing the implementation of Resolution 2254.
Over four consecutive days, Turkish military aircraft and drones targeted drinking water stations, laboratories, civilian warehouses, and wedding halls.
Türkiye had repeatedly targeted the Odeh oil field near al-Qahtaniyah in the eastern countryside, costing the administration tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. It is one of the largest oil fields in northeastern Syria.
Furthermore, the head of Jazira region's Energy Department, Akram Suleiman, declared that Turkish attacks caused widespread power outages in nine towns, half of Qamishli's cities, and 2232 villages.
During a phone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Suleiman said the Swedish electric power generation facility has also been out of service as a result of the Turkish bombing, targeting all sources of natural gas production.
Meanwhile, the General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces said that the Turkish attacks disrupted the provision of essential services, denying Turkish allegations that its members were killed during the recent attacks.
The General Command asserted in a statement on Monday that these allegations were false, noting that Türkiye aims to disrupt people's lives and target the infrastructure.

The authority asserted that it would respond under the legitimate right of self-defense.



US Lists Demands at UN as Syria Seeks Sanctions Relief

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raises the new Syrian flag during a flag raising ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on April 25, 2025. (AFP)
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raises the new Syrian flag during a flag raising ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on April 25, 2025. (AFP)
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US Lists Demands at UN as Syria Seeks Sanctions Relief

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raises the new Syrian flag during a flag raising ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on April 25, 2025. (AFP)
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raises the new Syrian flag during a flag raising ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on April 25, 2025. (AFP)

The United States publicly spelled out at the United Nations on Friday the steps it wants Syria to take before Washington will change its stance toward the country, as Syria's foreign minister appealed for tough sanctions to be lifted.

Reuters reported last month that Washington had handed Syria a list of conditions it wants Damascus to fulfill in exchange for partial sanctions relief. On Friday, acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea listed them publicly.

She said the US wants Syria's authorities to fully renounce and suppress terrorism, adopt a policy of non-aggression to neighboring states, exclude foreign terrorist fighters from any official roles, prevent Iran and its proxies from exploiting Syrian territory, destroy weapons of mass destruction, assist in the recovery of US citizens disappeared in Syria, and ensure the security and freedoms of all Syrians.

"The United States continues to observe the actions of the interim authorities and will determine our actions based on a pattern of behavior. The core leadership must move beyond its past," Shea told the 15-member Security Council.

Former President Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December by a lightning opposition offensive after a brutal 14-year civil war and there is now a new leadership in Damascus. The newly adopted Syrian flag was raised at the UN on Friday.

SYRIA SEEKS TO SHOW PROGRESS

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, addressing the Security Council for the first time, sought to show that Syria was addressing some of the demands listed by the US and appealed for sanctions to be lifted.

"Those who demand more from Syria are the same ones who insist on maintaining many sanctions imposed against it. These sanctions force Syria to play the role of an aid dependent country rather than being a partner in global economic growth," he told the Security Council.

Tough US sanctions imposed during Assad's rule remain in place. In January, the US issued a six-month exemption for some sanctions to encourage aid, but this has had limited effect and Reuters reported in February that efforts to pay public sector salaries with foreign financing had been hampered by uncertainty over whether it could breach US sanctions.

"These restrictive measures imposed against the previous regime prevent capital and expertise from entering our country while allowing illicit networks to flourish," al-Shaibani said.

He said Syria was combating ISIS militants, working constructively with the UN chemical weapons watchdog, uniting military factions, preserving state institutions and taking steps toward constitutional reform. It had also launched a national dialogue, he said.

"We will also announce genuine steps towards a national parliament that represents the Syrian people," al-Shaibani said.

He said Syria would establish a commission for missing persons and was ready to coordinate with the US to also search for Americans missing in Syria.