Pressrelease: 130 Organizations Urge the United Nations Security Council to Protect Civilians, Promptly Intervene to Stop the Military Escalation in Northern Syria, and Enhance Humanitarian Response

The undersigned organizations warn of the repercussions of the recent military escalation in Northern Syria and call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians, end violations, and respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Since November 27, 2024, the terrorist-designated group ‘’Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’’ (HTS), has launched a large-scale offensive codenamed the “Deterrence of Aggression” Battle. The offensive led to HTS swiftly seizing control of Aleppo City and large portions of its countryside. The group also took full control of Idlib City and parts of Hama City following the withdrawal and collapse of Syrian government forces and their allied militias in these areas. This was followed by deadly airstrikes by the Syrian/Russian air forces on hospitals and other civilian targets in Aleppo and Idlib Governorates, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties, both dead and wounded.

Subsequently, on November 30, 2024, the Turkish-backed opposition Syrian National Army (SNA) exploited the dramatic shifts in the frontlines, and launched a military operation dubbed “Dawn of Freedom” in Northern Aleppo and al-Shahba Region, which are under the control of the People Protection Units (YPG). This operation forcibly displaced tens of thousands of Internally Displaced People (IDPs), most of whom are Kurdish residents of Afrin, towards areas in Northeast Syria.

This marked yet another instance of forced displacement for these individuals, who had previously been uprooted in 2018 by the same forces during Turkey’s “Operation Olive Branch”.

A series of crimes and violations against Kurdish civilians, including Yezidis, have been documented at the hands of the attacking forces. These violations include the detention of numerous civilians, acts of murder, looting, assaults on convoys of displaced people, verbal abuse, and mistreatment. Simultaneously, video footage has emerged showing detainees being beaten, alongside other videos featuring unprecedented incitement and hate speech targeting Kurds in Syria.

Reports indicate that a group of civilian returnees was arrested, while others were subjected to humiliation and had their personal belongings stolen during attempts of scores of families to return to their hometown in Afrin Region. Additionally, cases of missing persons were also documented.

The below undersigned Syrian organizations warn that this recent military escalation marks a critical turning point in the Syrian conflict, raising genuine concerns among many Syrian communities, particularly religious and ethnic minorities with a long history of facing violations. There are also concerns among residents of areas outside the government control, which have witnessed airstrikes by Syrian and Russian government forces, resulting in civilian casualties.

We, the organizations undersigned to this statement, therefore, strongly condemn the crimes and violations committed against the civilians by all parties to the conflict and demand the following:

The United Nations Security Council:

1. Issue an urgent resolution to ceasefire and halt military escalations in all conflict zones in Syria.

2. Take practical measures to ensure the protection of civilians, hold perpetrators of violations accountable, and enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid.

United Nations Agencies and International Humanitarian Organizations:

1. Launch an emergency response to meet the basic needs of tens of thousands of displaced persons, including shelter, food, water, and medical care.

2. Ensure the safe and non-discriminatory delivery of humanitarian aid to all affected areas.

3. Support initiatives to enhance food security and address the long-term needs of the displaced persons.

Parties to the Conflict in Syria:

1. Comply with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and protect civilians from both direct and indirect targeting.

2. Cease all military operations resulting in forced displacement and violations against civilians.

3. Allow independent organizations access to affected areas to document violations and assess the needs.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) and the United Nations International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism (IIIM):

1. Conduct a comprehensive, thorough and transparent investigation into the crimes committed in Northern Syria during the recent military escalation and publish a report on them.

2. Collect and analyze evidence related to the crimes committed in Northern Syria, as well as coordinate with international judicial bodies to ensure accountability for the perpetrators.

War Crimes Units in Countries with Laws Allowing Prosecutions Under Universal Jurisdiction Principle:

Expand structural investigations into crimes committed in Syria to include those occurring across Northern Syria by all parties to the conflict.

The signatory organizations, listed in alphabetical order, are:

Access Organization

Accountability Advocates Organization

Act for Afrin

Afrin Platform

Al-Raja Organization for Relief and Development

AlـKhaboor Association

Almonqith organization for Human Rights

Alseeraj Humanitarian Organizatin

Alzajel Organizatin

Amal for development

Ambassadors Association for Persons with Disabilities

Analysis and Strategic Studies Organization – ASSO

ARAS Association

Areejorganisation

Artist Team for Arts, Culture and Children

Ashavan

ASHNA for Development

Ashti Center for Peacebuilding

Bader for Community Development

Baladna organization

Better Hope for Al-Tabqa

Center of Peace and Freedom for Civil Society and Human Rights

Chaushka Women’s Association

Citizenship Association for Homan Rights

Coalition of Civil Society – CSO – NES

Community Solidarity organization

Creat a Path Organization

Dan for Relief and Development

DAR Association for Victims of Forced Displacement

Dari Center

Desteya Yasayî Kurdî

Development Seeds Centre

Dijla Organization for Development and Environment

DOZ ORGANIZATION

DUDERI

Ella Organization for Development and Peacebuilding

Emaar Almanaura

Emin Association for Supporting and Caring for Children with Cancer

Enlil Center

European and American Solidarity Committee for Afrin-Espoir Afrin

ÊVAR e.V.

Ezdina Organization

Fajr Organization

Fariq Snnae Almustaqbal

For Them Humanitarian Organization

Fourat Organization

Free Kurdish Women’s Organization

Green Tress

Habitat International Coalition – Housing and Land Rights Network

Hajeen Technical  Organization

Hikaet AMAL

HOPE Afrin

Hope Makers

Horan Forum for Citizenship

HORI Organisation For Human Rights

Human Rights Organization Efrin – Syria

Human Rights Organization Syria – Jazeera

Insight Organization

International Solidarity Association for Peace

Jian Organization for Humanity

Jiyan e.V.

Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights

Justice Center for Human Rights

Justice Network for Prisoners in Iraq

Kobani for Relief and Development

Kurdischer Kulturverein Wolfsburg e.v

Kurdish Committee for Human Rights – Observer

Kurdish Cultural Association in Geneva

Kurdish Feminist Voices – Dengé femînîten kurd

Kurdish-Swiss Alliance Association

Kurdistan Human Rights Reporters Center

Lekolin for legal stadies and researchs

Lelun Association for Victims

Life Step environmental Association

Lights For Development And Construction

Lots Association

Malva Organization for Arts, Culture and Education

Mawj for development

Mitan Center for the Revival of Civil Society

Nabd Team

Nasmet Amal Organisation

National Assembly for the Construction of Afrin

Nudem Organization

Nujeen Association of Community Development

Okkaz

Orgnaization Zagon

Payam Center For Mental Health and Human Development

PEACE LAND

PEACE SHE LEADER NETWORK

PÊL- Civil Waves

Platforma Armanc for Civil Society

Raman e.V

RÊ for rehabilitation and development

Reng for Development

Rescue and Relief Team

Rights Defese Initiative- RDI

Roj kar for Relief and Development

Rojava Association for Kurdish Culture and Literature

Rojava Conseil in France

Rojava Relief and Development Organization

Rose for Support and Empowerment

Rouaa Future for Development

Sahem Organization for Cooperation and Development

Salam Organization

Sara Organization to Combat Violence Against Women

Sawaeed Organization for Relief and Development

Shamal charitable Society

Share for Community Development

Slav Organization for Civil Activities

Small Dreams Group

Smart – Zerik

Society for Threatened Peoples – Germany

Step organisation for Democracy and Election

Swaedna Organization for

Synergy Association for Victims

Syrian Center for Studies and Dialogue

Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ)

Tal-Abyad Forum for Civil Society

Tara Organization

The Committee of Displaced People from Serê Kaniyê/Ras al-Ain

Tree of Life Development Organization

Vejîn Intiative

Wecare

Wesal Organization

White Hope Organization

White Human Organization

Women for Peace

YASA – The kurdish center for studies and legal consultancy

Youth for Change

Zagros Human Rights Center