By Zana al-Ali
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – Tribal elders in Raqqa Governorate, northern Syria, have appealed to ceasefire guarantors in Syria to intervene and halt ongoing Turkish attacks in the north. Since 2019, the U.S.-led Global Coalition and Russian forces have served as ceasefire guarantors in Syria.
Turkey claims its recent actions are in response to an attack on an aerospace company in Ankara, later claimed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
“Brutal attacks”
Youssef al-Ass’ad, a prominent figure from the al-Walda tribe, described Turkey’s attacks on hospitals, energy resources, and critical infrastructure as “brutal.”
Al-Ass’ad told North Press that the Syrian people, already suffering since 2011, are in a rebuilding phase in northern and eastern Syria. He expressed that Turkey’s strikes now threaten Syrians’ hopes for stability.
He called on the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the U.N. Security Council to intervene, stressing that these attacks seem intended to devastate the region.
Ammar al-Hami, a notable from the al-Shibl tribe, noted that despite security improvements in northern and northeastern Syria since Raqqa’s liberation from ISIS, Turkish assaults have continued.
He urged Turkey to cease its attacks and withdraw from Syrian territory, emphasizing that the strikes target infrastructure and harm civilians.
“Unjustified pretexts”
Qassem al-Hani, a leader from a Kurdish tribe in Raqqa, stated that Turkey’s repeated attacks are justified by “fabricated pretexts” for issues internal to Turkey.
He accused Turkey of fostering extremist elements in Syria, many of whom joined ISIS, and criticized the recurring bombardment as legally and morally unacceptable.
Al-Hani appealed to the international community, calling for an end to its silence on Turkey’s actions, which he said are disconnected from any legitimate security concerns.
Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan linked the Ankara attack on aerospace company TUSAS to infiltrators from Syria, stating his intent to “uproot terrorism” even if it requires action within Syria.
From Oct. 24 to Oct. 27, Turkish forces conducted heavy airstrikes on critical service facilities in northeastern Syria, resulting in significant civilian casualties and material damage.