Turkish escalation aims to create chaos: Syrian Democratic Forces spokesman
TEL TAMR, Syria (North Press) – Aram Hanna, the official spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said on Sunday that the Turkish military escalation northeastern Syria aims to spread chaos, instability, and insecurity in the region, and that the Russian guarantor has not done enough to prevent this.
“The recent Turkish escalation is part of a series of escalations in the region this year and last year, because the Turkish forces did not and still do not abide by the agreements made with the countries involved in the Syrian issue, whether with Russia or the United States,” he stated to North Press.
In October 2019, Turkey signed two ceasefire agreements, one with the US and another with Russia, after the Turkish military operation in Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad, displacing more the 300,000 people according to according to human rights reports.
However, the SDF accuses the Turkish forces of constantly violating the agreement by targeting inhabited villages and vital installations, according to the SDF spokesperson.
“Many Turkish violations were recorded, which surpassed the military arena and reached the level of human rights violations, including cutting off drinking water to Hasakah and targeting educational facilities in the school of the village of al-Gozalia adjacent to the front lines west of Tel Tamr, and the Tel al-Ward school,” Hanna added.
“These targets are clear to local and international public opinion. The occupying power wants to create a state of ignorance, chaos, and insecurity; this is what it aims for, and it seems obvious to us,” he added.
Recently, the countryside of the towns of Tel Tamr and Abu Rasin witnessed repeated targeting with heavy weapons by the Turkish forces and the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions.
The General Command of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said in a statement on Friday that their forces “will not stand by regarding Turkish attacks” and that “losing officials, fighters, and civilians” will not pass without a response.
On the position of the Russian forces, which guarantee the ceasefire, Hanna said: “We appreciate the efforts of Russian forces in controlling the frontlines and stopping the violations, but these efforts are not up to the required level that deters these forces from committing these violations.”
He stated that they are in constant contact with the Russian armed forces and inform them of cases of breaches and violations.
“Russia wishes to stop these violations and abide by the treaty previously signed in 2019, but the occupation forces are practicing their subversive plans related to our region and do not abide by the laws related to these agreements, whether with Russia or with America or with the general international community,” he added.
On Saturday, the Syriac Military Council demanded in a statement that Russia take a more active role in the ceasefire in the escalation zone and to be more assertive in their stance regarding Turkish violations and its bombing of civilians and civil and educational institutions, which contradict international covenants.
“The US administration added a number of mercenary leaders to the sanctions list. This was a positive step, and we see the need to take more steps in a more positive and effective manner. that deters these mercenaries from committing more violations.”
On July 28, the US Department of the Treasury announced a new package of sanctions targeting entities affiliated with the Syrian intelligence services and leaders of the pro-Turkish Ahrar al-Sharqiya faction for committing war crimes, and also recruiting former members of the terrorist organization of ISIS into its ranks.
“International silence will certainly serve Turkey’s desire to continue its attacks and violations, and this will affect our efforts in combating terrorism and taking care of prisons and camps that contain ISIS prisoners and their families.”