ANKARA - DEM Party made a statement regarding Turkey's attacks on Northern and Eastern Syria: "Bombing of civilian settlements is a war crime, stop the attacks on Rojava."

 

The Central Executive Board (MYK) of the People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) made a written statement regarding Turkey's air strikes on the cities of Northern and Eastern Syria. The statement noted that civilian settlements were targeted in the attacks and emphasized that this situation was a war crime.

 

MANY PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES

 

The statement continued with the following statements: “On the night of December 23, a heavy bombardment was carried out against the vital infrastructure of the region, especially the oil refineries and wheat warehouses in the cities of Dêrik, Qamişlo and Tirbespiyê. Electricity, oil and gas facilities in Hesekê, which provide services to the people of the region, were also targeted in the attacks. On December 25, fuel depots and printing centers were bombed in Afrin countryside, Qamishlo and Kobani cities. Cement factories, oil wells, wheat warehouses and workplaces were also targeted by air attacks. It is known that many people lost their lives and many civilians, including construction workers, were injured as a result of the attacks. We commemorate those who lost their lives in the attacks and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

 

THE MAIN TARGET OF THE ATTACK ARE THE KURDS

 

This year alone, 117 air strikes were carried out by Turkish warplanes against Northern and Eastern Syria, and 86 people were killed. It is clear that the main target of the attacks is the Kurds, and the targeting of civilian settlements and innocent people is an indication of this. The AKP-MHP government distorts Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and presents these borderless attacks against the Kurds as legitimate to the international community. As a result of these attacks, it is implementing a policy of demographic change that amounts to a war crime in the regions where Kurds live, as it did in Afrin. All these attacks destroy the basis for political solution and stability in Syria and cause the war to become permanent and continue at the regional level.

 

THE PEOPLE OF TÜRKİYE DEMAND PEACE

 

These all-out attacks against the Kurdish and regional people, immediately following the recent clashes and loss of life, only deepen the suffering. The people of Turkey no longer demand that the Kurdish issue be pushed into a deadlock with heroic words and war policies, but an honorable, democratic solution and peace. As we have painfully experienced for 40 years, war and conflict are not for the benefit of Turkish society; on the contrary, they not only cause loss of life but also deepen social crises in every field. The AKP-MHP government, which tries to maintain its power through war, will not be able to escape the fate of its predecessors, who insisted on a deadlock.

 

RECKLESS ATTACKS MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY

 

We say stop to this war madness carried out in every field. These reckless attacks against Northern and Eastern Syria must be stopped as soon as possible. For this reason, we call on the national and international democratic public and all opponents of war to take action. Together we can stop this war, suffering and death.”