Kurdish forces in Syria must overcome their differences and unite their ranks to end Turkey’s “occupation” of Afrin, urged a number of figures from the northern Syrian town.
Around 94 activists, authors, journalists and academics launched a campaign calling upon Kurdish parties to take a firm stand regarding the fate of the city and its people who are facing “systematic genocide”.
The activists called for centralizing the issue of Afrin, describing it as “a direct and historical responsibility of the Kurds represented by parties, forces and various figures,” who are required to unite and agree on organizing their forces.
The signatories also called upon the international sponsoring parties to help end the Turkish occupation of the Afrin region and all cities and towns under its control in north and northwestern Syria.
The Kurdish figures concluded by urging the international forces to ensure a dignified return of the displaced and forcibly displaced citizens, disclose the fate of thousands of missing persons, release all detainees, hold perpetrators responsible for their crimes and compensate the families of the victims.
Academic and economic researcher Celeng Omer, one of the organizers of the campaign, said all Kurdish forces and parties who represent the people are demanded to take a serious stance against Turkey and its loyal armed militias.
In March 2018, Turkey and its loyal armed Syrian factions took control of the Kurdish city of Afrin and its countryside, which had been under the protection of Kurdish fighters since the beginning of the Syrian crisis.
International organizations and human rights groups have since warned against the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the city.
Kurdish reports and sources indicated that over half of Afrin’s population has been displaced and left the city.
