Political parties call for no-fly zone in Syria’s north
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, political parties and forces operate in north and east Syria called on the US-led Global Coalition and Russia to impose a no-fly zone in the region in order to prevent Turkey from launching a new invasion that will harm lives of millions of residents.
This was included in a statement by 32 political parties and forces, in which they demanded that Syrians inside and outside Syria carry out activities and campaigns, calling for stopping Turkish military escalation and holding Turkey accountable for crimes committed against humanity in Syria.
In a speech after charring a government meeting, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed on June 27 his threats to launch a new military operation in northern Syria.
On June 1, Erdogan threatened to launch 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).
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.
The absence of an international firm stance against Turkey and its violations of humanitarian and international law encourages it to continue its expansion project to occupy more Syrian lands, the statement read.
Despite the issuance of many international statements, demanding that Turkey abides by ceasefire agreements and abstain from launching any new military operations in Syria, Turkey continues its hostile practices against the region’s residents, according to the statement.
In October 2019 following a military operation against Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad, Turkey signed two ceasefire agreements, one with Russia and the other with the US, stipulating a cessation of all hostilities and the withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) 32 km away from the Turkish border.
The SDF did withdrew from the border areas according to the agreement, but Turkey continues targeting the area.
The statement also stressed that any new military operation in Syria may hit achievements of the SDF and Global Coalition in their war against the Islamic State Organization (ISIS), spread chaos, increase numbers of asylum seekers to Europe and regional countries and create a proper environment to revive the most dangerous terrorist group in the world, ISIS.