RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, a number of sheikhs and tribal leaders in the city of Raqqa, northern Syria, expressed their solidarity with the Syrian protesters against Turkish statements.
On August 12, a number of demonstrations took place in opposition-held areas in the countryside of Aleppo, condemning the statements made by Turkey Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu, in which he called for reconciliation between the Syrian government and opposition.
Muhammad Tirki al-So’an, Sheikh of Sabkha clan, said the Turkish statements revealed the true reality of Turkey and its policies in Syria that were based only on its interests.
“Turkey deceived a part of the Syrian people. Today, Syrians welcome those protested against the Turkish trusteeship,” he added.
Al-So’an told North Press that the Syrians are partners of “the Syrian revolution” and will continue to attain the goals of freedom and dignity and deliver reforms to the country and eliminate oppression and persecution.
“Turkey diverted the revolution and made it a tool to create demographic change, threatened the national unity of the Syrians, and tore apart the social fabric of the country to pass on its interests.”
The statements made by Turkish Minister of Foreign Affair, Mevlut Cavusoglu, on August 11, drew wide spread resentment led to protests in a number of the Turkish-occupied cities in northern Syria.
Youssef al-Ahmad, a tribal leader of al-Wildah clan in Raqqa, said that the Syrians support the protests rejecting the Turkish statements regarding northern Syria.
Al-Ahmad told North Press, “The clans condemn the arrest of young men by Turkish-backed armed factions and handing them over to the Turkish police to prosecute them under burning the Turkish flag.”
Youssef pointed out that “What was said about the dependence on a positive role of Turkey in Syria backfired and destroyed the Syrian homeland and people.”
Za’im Kurdo, sheikh of al-Shaddadiyah clan, said that the Syrians are “partners to one homeland and this home accommodate everyone.”
“Turkey let down some Syrians who were echoing Turkish interests in Syria. This was obvious in the recent period,” Kurdo added.
He emphasized to North Press that “northeast Syria expresses solidarity with the areas of northern Syria that protested against Turkey’s killing of Syrian youths.”
He indicated that some Syrians joined the Turkish interest but Turkey let them down. “Turkey is a deeply-rooted enemy of the Syrian people.”