31 political parties send a letter to UN regarding Turkey’s demographic change operation
Northern Syria – North-Press Agency
Political parties and forces in north and eastern Syria have addressed a letter to the U.N.the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding Turkey's operation to bring demographic change in the areas of Ras al-Ain (Sere-Kaniye) and Tal Abyad (Gire Spi), which Turkey and the affiliated armed opposition groups had taken control over both towns in the ongoing military invasion of northern Syria.
In the letter, the parties and political forces said that the direct Turkish aim of its military attack and control of the areas of Ras al-Ain (Sere-Kaniye) and Tal Abyad (Gire Spi) is to displace the indigenous people, who are more than 300 thousand people and bring demographic change in the region.
Political parties and forces noted that Turkey also aims to create a “safe zone for terrorists”, by housing “Turkish-backed terrorist groups in the cities and towns of the area and turning the region into a hotbed of radical extremism.”
The political parties and forces have called on the international community to prevent Turkey from legitimising its unilateral steps by taking control of northern Syria, and not agreeing to Turkey's attempt to drag the UN into engaging in projects aimed at demographic change and demographic targeting.
Political parties and forces also noted through their message that any safe zone should be under international supervision, stressing that Turkey should not participate in the guardianship of the region, because “it is an occupying state that supports radical and terrorist groups.”
The parties called for urgent intervention to stop Turkish violations, displacement and killing, noting that there will be no safe return of the indigenous people to their homes with the presence of the Turkish military and its affiliated armed opposition groups.
According to the letter, "75% of Afrin region has been changed in its demographics since Turkish military and its affiliated armed groups took control over the region on March 18 2018.
The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said after a meeting on Friday with the Turkish President Erdogan that the UN will form a special team to study Turkey's proposal on the establishment of a "safe zone" in northern Syria, to return Syrian refugees to their country.
Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson of the UN secretary-general said: "The UN Secretary-General also stressed the need to adhere to the fundamental principle of ensuring the safe and voluntary return of refugees".