While Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and some groups overthrew the Assad regime with the attack launched on 26 November, Turkey and its paramilitary groups also launched attacks on North and East Syria. Due to the attacks, civilians who settled in Til Rifaat and Shahba regions during Turkey's attack on Afrin in 2019 were forced to migrate again.

 

Mihemed Şêxo, Co-Chair of the Afrin-Shahba Canton Council, emphasised that the conflicts in Syria are not just a local issue, but an effort by the great powers to maintain their policies. Emphasising that what is happening is a reflection of the conflict of interests in the Middle East, Şexo said: "What has been happening recently is a political equation throughout Syria. It is the conflict of interests of the great powers in the Middle East. Iran and Russia on the one hand, the US and other countries on the other hand are pursuing their own policies. Syria is one of the key countries of the Middle East. However, none of these wars are in favour of the interests of the people. Everyone is thinking about their own power and interests. Therefore, the Syrian people are left unprotected."

 

'DEMOCRATIC NATION IDEA AGAINST THE INTERESTS OF FORCES'

 

Stating that the alliances and political moves made in Syria since 2019 aim to weaken the Syrian regime, Şêxo noted that civilians suffer the most from this. Pointing out that the attacks of Turkey-backed groups targeted civilians, Şexo emphasised that this situation forced the people to migrate once again.

 

Şêxo said: "Turkey-backed groups are targeting this region where peoples live together. This model, which defends the unity of peoples with the idea of democratic nation, is against the interests of these forces. For this reason, they are trying to break the will of the people to live together here. We are now in winter conditions and the people are forced to migrate under these harsh conditions. They are subjected to attacks by gangs on their way. Especially children, women and the elderly are facing great difficulties. Although some families can reach the areas we have prepared, many families are still in uncertainty. There are people who are lost, captured and whose fate is unknown. The gangs enter the villages of Shahba, detain the people and create great fear."

 

'THE HOPE OF OUR PEOPLE IS TO RETURN TO THEIR OWN LAND'

 

Stating that the people have never lost the hope of returning to their lands one day, "The only goal of our people, who were exiled from Afrin to Shahba and from Shahba to the unknown, is to return to Afrin one day. However, in this process, we will do our best to facilitate their lives and alleviate their difficulties. We will continue to struggle for a free and secure future for our people,"  Şêxo said.

 

'WORLD PUBLIC OPINION MUST TAKE ACTION'

 

Stating that the number of migrants has reached 100 thousand, Şêxo stated that the Autonomous Administration is making intensive efforts for the settlement of the people. Şêxo continued as follows: "We are setting up tent areas so that our people do not stay in the cold. Despite the difficulties, we are struggling for our people to live a peaceful life. The people are paying the heaviest price in this war, but despite this, we will not give up our resistance. International human rights organisations and defenders should not be insensitive to this atrocity. All the peoples of the world must protect this tragedy of our people. The people are struggling to survive in the cold, hunger and constant attacks. The world public opinion must take action to end this atrocity."

 

MA / Delal Akyüz