Displaced Syrian Kurds Commemorate Seventh Anniversary of Afrin’s Occupation
By Kardo Roj
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Displaced residents from Afrin gathered in Qamishli on Tuesday to mark the seventh anniversary of Turkey-backed factions occupation of their city. The commemoration, organized by the Afrin Social Association, highlighted the forced displacement of Afrin’s Kurdish population and ongoing calls for justice.
The event took place at Afrin Roundabout in Qamishli, where dozens of displaced Afrin residents listened to a statement condemning the violations committed since the city’s capture in 2018. The statement emphasized the suffering of those who fled to the Shahba region in northern Aleppo, where they endured years of harsh conditions before being forcibly displaced again in December 2024 due to renewed attacks by armed factions.
The statement demanded accountability for crimes committed in Afrin and urged international legal bodies to take action. “The people of Afrin have been subjected to systematic demographic change and forced displacement. Justice must be served, and the perpetrators must be held accountable,” the statement read.
It also called on humanitarian organizations and the interim Syrian government in Damascus to ensure the safe return of Afrin’s original residents under international protection. The statement further urged Turkey to reconsider its policies in Afrin, advocating for peace and good neighborly relations.
The association emphasized the importance of transitional justice mechanisms to prevent further human rights violations and ensure accountability for war crimes. “Ensuring the return of Afrin’s displaced residents requires international oversight and cooperation with relevant UN agencies,” the statement added.
Afrin’s Ongoing Reality
Since the start of Turkey’s “Operation Olive Branch” in early 2018, Afrin has remained under the control of Ankara-backed factions, leading to widespread allegations of human rights violations, property seizures, and demographic changes. Reports from human rights organizations have documented cases of arbitrary detentions, forced displacement, and targeted attacks against the region’s original Kurdish population.
Despite repeated calls from displaced communities and international organizations, the situation in Afrin remains precarious, with ongoing security threats and instability preventing many from returning. The AANES has consistently advocated for international intervention to facilitate a secure return process and end the continued violations against Afrin’s displaced population.
With no immediate solution in sight, displaced Afrin residents continue to push for greater international involvement in their cause. Activists argue that without external pressure, the prospects for justice and safe return remain uncertain.
As the seventh anniversary passes, Afrin’s displaced communities remain steadfast in their demands, calling for an end to their forced exile and the restoration of their rights in their homeland.