Kurdish Civil Society is following with grave concern and strong condemnation the ongoing violations and humanitarian suffering endured by Kurdish civilians in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in the city of Aleppo, following the entry of armed groups into these areas after the agreement concluded between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the authorities in Damascus, an agreement that was reached under international sponsorship and guarantees intended to ensure the protection and safety of civilians.
Developments on the ground clearly indicate a blatant breach of both the spirit and the terms of this agreement, as numerous acts of intimidation, abuse, and violations of fundamental rights have been reported. These practices seriously threaten civil peace and expose women, children, and the elderly to direct and unacceptable risks, while undermining any political or security arrangement that fails to place civilian protection at its core.
We stress unequivocally that Kurdish civilians are not a party to any military conflict, and that subjecting them to collective punishment or turning their neighborhoods into arenas of political or security score-settling constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
Accordingly, Kurdish Civil Society calls for the following:
Furthermore, we call upon UN agencies and all international human rights bodies to assist in amplifying the voices of Kurdish civilians in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, Aleppo, ensuring that their situation and urgent needs are brought directly to the attention of decision-makers in countries involved in the Syrian context.
International silence in the face of these crimes constitutes implicit complicity.
Civilian lives are a red line.
Human dignity is not negotiable.
Developments on the ground clearly indicate a blatant breach of both the spirit and the terms of this agreement, as numerous acts of intimidation, abuse, and violations of fundamental rights have been reported. These practices seriously threaten civil peace and expose women, children, and the elderly to direct and unacceptable risks, while undermining any political or security arrangement that fails to place civilian protection at its core.
We stress unequivocally that Kurdish civilians are not a party to any military conflict, and that subjecting them to collective punishment or turning their neighborhoods into arenas of political or security score-settling constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
Accordingly, Kurdish Civil Society calls for the following:
- Immediate and urgent international intervention to protect Kurdish civilians in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh and to guarantee their safety and dignity.
- The withdrawal of all non-regular armed groups from the two neighborhoods and the immediate cessation of all retaliatory and arbitrary practices against residents.
- Full accountability of the parties sponsoring and guaranteeing the agreement, and the exercise of genuine pressure to ensure its implementation in a manner that safeguards civilian rights and human dignity.
- The opening of safe humanitarian corridors and the unimpeded access of independent humanitarian and human rights organizations to provide assistance and conduct monitoring.
- Accountability for all those responsible for violations, and an end to the culture of impunity.
Furthermore, we call upon UN agencies and all international human rights bodies to assist in amplifying the voices of Kurdish civilians in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, Aleppo, ensuring that their situation and urgent needs are brought directly to the attention of decision-makers in countries involved in the Syrian context.
International silence in the face of these crimes constitutes implicit complicity.
Civilian lives are a red line.
Human dignity is not negotiable.
11.01.2025
Kurdish civil and human rights organizations:
- Geo-Strategic Organization for Kurdish Civil Society
- Kurdish–Israeli Friendship Association / Austria
- Kurdish Women’s Association – Austrian
- Gathering of Free Intellectuals
- Afrin Human Rights Organization – Syrian / inside Rojava
- Syrian Kurdish Gathering in Russia
- Western Kurdistan Kurdistan Council in France
- Zozan Center for Culture and Folklore
- Geo-Strategic Studies Network
- Welat News Agency
- German International Organization for Development and Peace
- Kobani House Association in Austria
- The Kurdish Community in Magdeburg
For contact:
WhatsApp: +491744919093
E-mail: geostrategic2018@gmail.com
Website: civilsociety2023.geo-strategic.com
