The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Arab tribe elders and leaders condemn abuses of the Turkey-loyal factions in “Tal Abyad”: violations are not only against the Kurds, and the blood of the Syrian components was shed by the Turkish Forces and their loyalists

Arab tribal leaders in Tal Abyad (Gire Sipi) issued a statement yesterday evening, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights received a copy of it, in which they denied the rumors that was spread by Turkey and US President Donald Trump that the Turkey-loyal factions did not commit violations in “Tal Abyad” area after controlling it, and according to the statement: “residents of the area confirm that these extremist factions committed massive crimes and violations against people of this safe city and terrorized its people,” the statement said: “these extremist terrorist groups have committed the most heinous violations against all components, and have not differentiated between Arab, Kurdish, Turkmen, or others since they entered to control the area, among these violations there are the assassination of at least 10 well-known figures who are  known for their patriotism in the area and tens of Arab youth, and they forced thousands of Arab, Turkmen, Armenian, and Kurdish citizens out of their homes, looted and stole them and took them as headquarters and military points for their mercenaries.”

The statement added: “these groups also kidnaped Arab people from the area and demanded ransom for their release, one of these operation was the kidnapping of 10 members of al-Bouassaf Arab clan in Tal Abyad, and demanded a ransom of 12 million Syrian pounds and 2 trucks, in addition to imposing 50000 ransoms for each young man who served in the Autonomous-defense. And another side, these groups destroyed schools, where 426 schools were destroyed and went out of service in Tal Abyad, and 51200 students were denied education, and 1903 teachers were denied their duty in teaching the children of this area, and is destroying hospitals is a violation against the Kurds only? Where Tal Abyad Hospital has become out of service, so is the medical centers in the countryside of the county, and 3 medical staff were killed while they were working, and is the destruction of all houses by Turkish warplanes and shells of the Turkish army and its mercenaries is a violation against the Kurds? Where groups of the mercenary have destroyed all houses of the city and displaced all citizens, and these terrorist groups have housed people of the members who came from Homs, Hama, and Ghouta in homes of city’s residents after they have been abandoned by their owners, and this indicates an underway demographic change just like in Afrin, and these extremist groups have also sheltered ISIS women who fled from Ayn Issa camp with the help and support of the Turkish warplanes in Ayn al-Arous town and some neighborhoods in Tal Abyad, such as al-Layl, al-Arman, and al-Jesr, where Tal Abyad had a population of more than 108000 people before the aggression, and because of this aggression more than 40000 people of all different components have been displaced.”

The statement continued: “and is looting and seizing property of citizens such as tens of cars which were confiscated to be used by their military forces considered as a violation against the Kurds only? We say no in response to all these questions. The sanctity of the Arab house was violated before the sanctity of the Kurdish house, and the same goes for the sanctity of the Armenian house and the Turkmen house. The Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens and Armenians were slaughtered, and their homes were destroyed, who is left in the city? The Arabs are present in the city not as Erdogan said that its population is only of the Kurds, but all of its population are Arab, and all the Bedouins were forced to leave and pay sum of money or a group of their livestock, also they did not comply with the ceasefire, particularly in Sluk Township and Ayn Issa camp, were the people who used to be it were smuggled. The Turkish government is passing laws similar to those of ISIS which was supported by Turkey, such as the imposition of niqab and growing the beard, which is contrary to the freedom of citizens.”

The statement condemned all violations against the citizens and innocent people in Tal Abyad, adding: “these terrorist groups seek to spread strife and differentiate between people of the area with their different components. We, all the Syrian people have lived in this city with nothing but bond and connection, now they are trying to spread sectarianism and strife in every place where they extend their control to. And we affirm that the Arab, Kurdish, and Turkmen blood was mixed in Tal Abyad by the Turkish army and its mercenaries, and we all will remain on the same side until all Syrian territory is liberated and the sovereignty of our country is restored.”

“Lens of the Observatory”: Arab tribal leaders in Tal Abyad condemn abuses of the Turkey-loyal factions

"Lens of the Observatory": Arab tribal leaders in Tal Abyad condemn abuses of the Turkey-loyal factions

Posted by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Monday, October 28, 2019