Turkey fails to stop SNA abuses in occupied north Syria – Advocacy group
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Turkey fails to stop violations committed by its affiliated armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), against civilians in northern Syria, contributing to the continuation of abuses, an advocacy group said on Aug. 15.
In a new report, the Synergy/Hevdesti Association, a victims’ advocacy group operating in Northeast Syria, said Turkey has not taken action to stop these abuses or hold those responsible accountable.
“Turkey has failed to assume its responsibilities to the territories it occupies in northern Syria. It has not taken any measures to ensure the protection of civilians and has turned a blind eye to the violations committed by the SNA’s armed factions,” the report said.
Synergy urged that Turkey, “as an occupying power,” must ensure public order and safety, with special protections for women and children.
Turkey must ensure that SNA militants who commit violations in the occupied areas are held accountable and provide mechanisms that allow victims of violations to seek justice easily, the report pointed out.
“During the first half of 2024, Synergy Association for Victims documented the killing of at least three civilians at the hands of SNA members, in addition to 15 instances of infightings among SNA’s armed groups, in which one civilian was killed while two others were injured. Moreover, four explosions took place, injuring two civilians, one of whom was a child.”
Turkey frequently says it created “safe zones” in Syria. However, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (COI) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have repeatedly stated that these areas are not safe.