HRW warns of potential Turkish operation in Syria’s north
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Human Rights Watch Organization (HRW) warned on Wednesday, in a report, of implications of a potential new Turkish military incursion into northern Syria and expressed its fears of illegal attacks that may deteriorate humanitarian situation and return Islamic State Organization (ISIS) to the area.
The organization issued a question-and-answer document, including 12 questions and answers, in which it stressed on the risks of the potential Turkish military operation in Syria’s north.
The organization’s report pointed out that this operation is not the first of its kind, as there were three previous operations that “have been fraught with human rights abuses.”
Erdogan has recently announced plans to carry out another major military cross-border incursion into northern Syria. Erdogan specified his targets in the two northern Syrian cities of Manbij and Tel Rifaat.
On July 1, Erdogan said that Ankara’s new military operation in northern Syria could begin at any moment.
Erdogan wants to get a green light or at least still a yellow light from Moscow because it has troops in Syria.
In addition, the report focused on the obligations of the conflicted parties under laws of war, refugees and IDPs affairs, and the implications for Syrians and foreigners in detention in reference to ISIS fighters and families.
“All parties to the conflict in northern Syria should minimize civilian harm during ongoing and future military operations there,” according to the report.
Human Rights Watch said, citing Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, “Turkey and its allies have previously killed and arbitrarily arrested civilians following cross-border military operations in Syria that have resulted in massive displacement,”
“Without taking adequate precautions, Turkish forces and their Syrian proxies risk repeating their abuses. The conflict could only worsen the already devastating humanitarian situation for millions of people in northern Syria,” according to Coogle.