Joint Statement by 97 humanitarian organizations active in North-East Syria
On Unilateral Turkish Military Intervention in the Region
As active representatives of local and regional actors engaged in supporting humanitarian work within North-East Syria, the 97 signatory organizations to this statement have closely followed the developments of the Turkish military operations in North-East Syria since 9 October 2019. The affected area is home to millions of people in addition to many IDPs from other areas of the country.
With growing concern, we have witnessed significant displacement since the campaign began with cross-border bombardment, as well as the direct targeting of vital infrastructure including water sources and grain silos. We have received field reports about civilian casualties as the result of military operations instigated by the Turkish army accompanied by Syrian partner armed factions. Contrary to rhetoric of creating a “safe zone”, this operation risks escalating into wide-scale conflict, which will have disastrous humanitarian consequences for North-East Syria and beyond.
The concerted attempts of the Turkish military and Syrian partners to invade villages, towns and cities in North-East Syria will cause devastating results, and we are concerned about the possible consequences for ethnic and sectarian conflict, as well as the reactivation and empowerment of ISIS sleeper cells, which will once again de-stabilize the region and endanger its stability and social coexistence. This troubling atmosphere could lead to the displacement of millions of civilians and emptying the region from its original residents.
Turkish soldiers and Turkish-backed Syrian fighters outside the border town of Ras al-Ain Saturday during their assault on Kurdish-held border towns in northeastern Syria.Credit Nazeer Al-Khatib/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
We as actors engaged in humanitarian work in the area condemn the Turkish military attack which aims at invading these safe regions and we assert the following points:
• The international community should exert pressure on Turkey to bring an end to its unilateral military operation in North-East Syria;
• All actors should steer away from violence and apply the language of dialogue in resolving the conflict through international diplomatic mediation;
• Mechanisms of internationally guaranteed humanitarian protection should be applied to the affected regions of North-East Syria;
• We firmly oppose any Turkish action aimed at demographic change and threatening social cohesion in the region;
• We call on international organizations and organizations operating in the region to assist in providing shelter and urgent humanitarian aid for IDPs.
1. Ashna Youth Organization
2. Ashti center for building peace
3. ASO Center for Consultancy and Strategic Studies
4. ASO Media Network
5. Assyrian Association for Aid and Development
6. ADEL CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
7. Ahmed Khani Association in the Netherlands
8. Al Furat Center for Studies
9. Al Jazeera Charity Association in Raqqa
10. Al Watan Charity Association
11. Amouda Charity Association
12. Arab National Commission
13. Ararat For Development
14. ARAS Charity
15. Avahi Civil Society Organization
16. Azura Al-Furat Organization
17. Baladna organization for civil society
18. Balsam Center for Health Education
19. Bayti Baytak Organization
20. Beginning organization
21. Ber Çav Organization
22. Better hope for Tabqa
23. Brotherhood Foundation for Human Rights
24. Chechen Society
25. Citizenship and National Peace Committees in Sweida
26. Common Ground Organization
27. Council of Women in Northern and Eastern Syria
28. Dan Relief and Development
29. Darbasiyah Charitable Society
30. SAM Development Organization
31. Dirna Association for Development
32. DOZ Organization
33. Eco mesopotamia organisation
34. Eridu center for civil society and democracy
35. Farah Organization for Rehabilitation and Development
36. Foundation of the Free Woman in Rojava
37. Furat Organization
38. Garaki Lagi Charity Association
39. Gav Organization for subsidy and development
40. Hevî Charity Association in Sere kanye
41. Hitma Organization for Cultural and Social Development
42. Human Rights Organization in Al-jazeera
43. Human rights organization in jazeera
44. Jiyan Charity Association
45. Joan Development Organization in Dohuk
46. Joan Organization for Awareness and Development
47. Jomard Charity
48. Kurdish Committee for Human Rights / RASID
49. Kurdish Red Crescent
50. Lawir For protection and development of livestock
51. Mahabad Organization for Human Rights MOHR
52. Mary Organization in Deir Ezzor
53. Metan Center for Civil Society Revival
54. Mezopotamya Development Studies- MDS
55. My Childhood Organization
56. Nabid Team
57. National Organization for Human Rights in Syria
58. NLP ORGANIZATION
59. Omid for development and revival of civil society
60. Organization of Emaar Mansoura
61. Peace and Freedom Center for Civil Society and Human Rights
62. PEACE SHE-LEADERS NETWORK
63. PÊL- Civil Waves
64. Psychiatrists Without Borders
65. Qandeel Al - Amal Charity Association
66. Ref Al-Yaurbiya Association
67. RojAva Organization for Relief and Development
68. SAMA Organization
69. Sanad for Peacebuilding
70. Sara organization to combat violence against women
71. Sanabel Euphrates Development Organization
72. Scoop Organization
73. Shams Al-Furat Organization
74. Shams Organisation For Rehabilitation And Development
75. Shar Organization for Development
76. Share center for development
77. Shawishka association for women
78. Slav Center for Civil Activities
79. SMART Center for Mental Health and Human Development
80. SREO for monitoring and evaluation
81. Stêr Development Organization
82. Syriac Union
83. Syrian Information Technology Club
84. Syrian Medical Relief
85. Syrian Women Council
86. Syrians for Truth and Justice-STJ
87. T Marbouta Foundation
88. Tamazight Women's Movement
89. Tender Without Borders Foundation
90. Tender Without Borders Organization
91. Tevîn Forum for Thought and Culture
92. Together for Amouda
93. Union of Syrian Kurdish Societies in the Netherlands
94. Women's Democratic Network
95. Yazidi House in Al-Jazeera region
96. Yazidi Union of Syria
97. Demo Solutions Organization