MSDA group of elites, community activists, tribal notables, human rights advocates, and representatives of political parties gathered, on Wednesday, in front of the headquarters of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) in Raqqa to condemn the Turkish aggression on Syrian territories.
In a statement read by Sheikh Lawrence al-Boursan, one of the leaders of al-Walda tribe, and they directed it to media and the public opinion.
“The elites strongly condemned the continuing aggressive attacks by the state of terrorism and Turkish occupation using drones, warplanes, and artillery shelling on villages, towns, cities, energy facilities, and vital infrastructure in various regions of northeastern Syria”, the statement stated.
“These Turkish attacks and hostilities, since October 4, 2023, have targeted more than 200 sites and facilities, resulting in significant material losses and the loss of dozens of lives, including civilians, children, women, military personnel, and security forces dedicated to counter-terrorism and Anti-narcotics forces. The oil, gas, power facilities, and vital services went out of service, and that directly impacting the lives of over five million people in northeastern Syria”, the statement added.
The people of Raqqa, representing various spectra, also condemned the ongoing Turkish occupation of the areas of Ras al-Ain (Sere Kaniye) and Tel Abyad (Gire Spi) which are in the provinces of Hasakah and Raqqa. “On October 9 marks the fourth anniversary of the Turkish invasion and displacement of nearly two hundred thousand civilians, along with the commission of war crimes and human rights violations”, the statement said.
The elites and political and community activists called on the international community to condemn Turkish hostile actions, urgently intervene to stop the attacks, ensure the protection of the population, infrastructure, vital facilities, and services. They specifically urged Arab countries to take a strong stance against Turkish violations, as the Arab countries considered Syria’s security as a part of their regional security.
Regarding the role of influential international powers in the Syrian file, the community elites emphasized the need for more effective steps to maintain de-escalation and protect the region from all surrounding threats. They stressed that preserving the resources and capabilities of the region’s inhabitants is essential for continued stability, focusing on combating terrorist threats.
The statement was concluded with condolences to the families of martyrs, especially those from the Internal Security Forces and Anti-Narcotics Forces Academy who received training from the Global Coalition, wishing a speedy recovery for the wounded, reaffirming the people’s right in northeastern Syria to live in peace and stability without external threats. The elites reiterated their commitment to seeking peaceful and comprehensive resolutions for the Syrian crisis, calling on all concerned parties to cooperate toward achieving this objective and ensuring political transition in Syria.
It is noteworthy that these elites, political, and social activists have decided to issue the statement in front of the headquarters of the SDC as it is considered a Syrian national umbrella.
