Members of Syria’s parliament say Turkey violates Syrian sovereignty
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Member of People’s Assembly (parliament) of Syrian government, Marry Bittar, told North Press on Wednesday that Syria is a member in the United Nations, and that Turkey, through its threats, violates the UN Charter by not respecting Syria’s sovereignty.
This came after the recent Turkish threats to launch a military operation in Syria’s north.
On May 23, Erdogan announced taking steps to complete the so-called remained portions of the “safe zone” plan along Turkey’s southern border saying, “We will soon take new steps regarding the incomplete portions of the project we started on the 30 km deep safe zone we established along our southern border.”
All countries respect sovereignty of Syrian territory, but the recent Turkish threats implies aggression and racism. They pose demographic change to the targeted areas, which rise to the level of war crimes and genocide, Bittar said.
She described the threats as a “blatant and rude violation” of UN Charter. In addition, Turkish practices are “theft and violation of human rights, as Turkey intends to rob the rights of those areas’ residents and usurp their lands.”
The Turkish “safe zone” is an area of 30-35 km (19-22 miles) deep into Syrian territory that Turkey started establishing in 2019 to settle Syrian refugees in an area along its border with Syria, as well as to keep it free from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which it regards as terrorists.
“The statements of the Turkish president can be considered as colonist and aggressive and they fall within the Turkish president’s expansionist plans in Syria,” Bittar added.
On May 25, Turkey’s National Security Council said that Turkey’s “existing and future military operations along its southern borders were necessary for the country’s security.” In the meeting, Erdogan delivered a speech to the MPs of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and said, “Turkish military would continue to rid its neighbor of terrorists” refers to the SDF.
On June 1, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed his threats of launching a military operation on northern Syria, and specified his targets in the two Syrian cities of Manbij and Tel Rifaat, which include many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Bittar stressed the right of response to prevent any military operation against the Syrian territory and people and to use all available methods to prevent such operations.
“This operation violates Sochi and Astana’s decisions, as Turkey disregards everything that stipulates respect for the rights of peoples to live on their lands in peace,” she noted.
The Syrian MP condemned all allegations, statements and threats to establish a safe zone in northern Syria.
In an interview with RT TV on June 9, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that the Syrian army is positioned in all regions of Syria, and it will do everything if military conditions allow for a direct confrontation with Turkey.
“If there is a Turkish invasion, there will be popular resistance in the first stage,” he added.
Muhammad al-Falaj, a Syrian MP, told North Press that the Syrian government will stand against the Turkish threats that exploit world’s preoccupation with international affairs like Russia-Ukraine war.
“We, as Syrians, stand together against any occupation of any part of the Syrian territory and against old-modern Ottoman ambitions. So, we should resist this aggression, regardless of sacrifices,” al-Falaj told North Press.
He pointed out that Turkey “disregards” all international laws and convents, adding that “Turkey assaults the sovereignty of the Syrian territory and tries to occupy Syrian lands, change its demographics and displace its people.”
“Is there any international law that allows a country to unjustly deduct any part of a neighboring country and annex it to it?” al-Falaj wondered.