NE Syria’s AANES demands justice over appointment of accused war criminal
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria called on the Syrian judiciary on Wednesday to hold war criminals accountable instead of appointing them to senior government positions, following the controversial appointment of a military commander implicated in serious human rights violations.
In a statement, the AANES criticized the Syrian Ministry of Defense for appointing Ahmad al-Hayes — also known as Abu Hatem Shaqra — to a leadership role within the army, despite his alleged involvement in war crimes.
“We strongly condemn the appointment of Abu Shaqra, the man responsible for the killing of Kurdish politician Hevrin Khalaf, to a senior military position,” said Adalat Omar, head of the Women’s Coordination Board in the AANES.
“How can someone who committed murder and mutilated the body of a political victim be rewarded with an official post?,” Omar wondered.
Ahmad Al-Hayes is on the U.S. sanctions list for his involvement in Khalaf’s assassination and is also accused of grave human rights abuses and links to the Islamic State (ISIS).
Omar told North Press that “the Syrian judiciary must fulfill its responsibilities and ensure justice for the victims of the Syrian conflict by prosecuting those responsible for war crimes.”
The Syrian Ministry of Defense appointed al-Hayes on May 5 as commander of the Division 86, which operates in the Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, and Raqqa regions.