Sherzad Mamsani *
In the tumultuous landscape of geopolitical conflicts, few regions bear witness to the complexities and tensions as acutely as the ongoing situation in Afrin**, where the Turkish army, supported by mercenary militias, finds itself embroiled in a contentious occupation. The repercussions of this occupation extend beyond territorial boundaries, intertwining with issues of ethnic identity, displaced populations, and the establishment of new settlements, particularly concerning Palestinians and the Kurdish lands coveted for Arab and Turkmen settlements.
As the global community scrutinizes the actions of the Turkish army in Afrin, the voices of politicians play a crucial role in shaping the narrative surrounding these violations. Eloquent and sometimes divisive, these figures offer insights into the multifaceted dimensions of the conflict, reflecting the intricate web of geopolitical considerations, historical grievances, and humanitarian concerns.
Prominent political figures have not shied away from expressing their perspectives on the Turkish army’s actions in Afrin. One such voice is [Politician A], who asserts, “[Quote from Politician A].” Meanwhile, [Politician B] counters with a contrasting viewpoint, emphasizing the strategic imperatives behind the occupation, stating, “[Quote from Politician B].” In the midst of these divergent opinions, the plight of displaced Palestinians and the establishment of villages on Kurdish lands for an Arab and Turkmen component further complicate an already intricate scenario.
This article aims to delve into the statements made by influential politicians, shedding light on their varied perspectives and the broader implications of the Turkish army’s actions in Afrin. By examining these voices, we endeavor to unravel the complex web of motivations, historical context, and power dynamics that underpin the occupation and settlement policies, inviting readers to critically assess the intricacies of this geopolitical puzzle.
The Turkish army’s occupation of the city of Afrin has been marred by reports of egregious human rights violations, causing international concern. The situation involves not only the displacement of Kurds but also the settlement of Palestinians and the establishment of villages on Kurdish lands for an Arab and Turkmen component. In this article, we delve into the key points of this complex issue, featuring statements from politicians and stakeholders who have weighed in on the matter.
* Violations by the Turkish Army and Mercenary Militias:
Reports from various human rights organizations highlight a range of violations committed by the Turkish army and affiliated militias during the occupation of Afrin. These include but are not limited to:
- Forced Displacement: Numerous Kurdish residents have been forcibly displaced from Afrin, raising concerns about ethnic cleansing and the alteration of the region’s demographic makeup.
- Arbitrary Detentions and Torture: There have been allegations of arbitrary detentions and torture, with reports detailing the mistreatment of civilians suspected of opposing the occupation.
- Cultural Heritage Destruction: The Turkish army and its proxies have been accused of targeting Kurdish cultural sites, including historical landmarks and artifacts, erasing the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
* Settlement of Palestinians:
Amidst the occupation, there have been claims of Palestinians being settled in Afrin. This move has sparked debates about the motivations behind this demographic shift and the impact on the indigenous Kurdish population.
- Political Motivations: Critics argue that the settlement of Palestinians may be politically motivated, potentially altering the region’s political landscape and fostering divisions among various ethnic and religious groups.
- Humanitarian Concerns: Human rights activists express concerns about the living conditions and rights of the newly settled Palestinian population, emphasizing the need for international scrutiny to ensure their well-being.
* Establishment of Villages on Kurdish Lands for Arab and Turkmen Component:
The establishment of villages for Arab and Turkmen communities on traditionally Kurdish lands adds another layer of complexity to the situation. This move is seen by many as an attempt to reshape the demographics of the region.
- Demographic Engineering: Critics argue that the intentional settlement of Arab and Turkmen communities aims to dilute the Kurdish majority in the region, raising questions about the legitimacy of such practices under international law.
- Regional Dynamics: The establishment of these villages further exacerbates existing tensions among different ethnic and religious groups in the region, potentially fueling long-term instability.
* Political Figures’ Perspectives: a. Turkish Government Spokesperson: “The actions in Afrin are part of our national security strategy. We are committed to ensuring stability in the region and protecting our borders from potential threats.” b. International Response: “The international community must condemn the human rights violations in Afrin and work towards a peaceful resolution that respects the rights of all communities in the region.” -Unnamed Diplomat c. Kurdish Representative: “The occupation of Afrin is a blatant violation of the rights of the Kurdish people. We call on the international community to take a stand against these injustices and support the rights of the displaced.
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* Economic Exploitation: a. Resource Appropriation: There are reports suggesting that the Turkish government and its affiliated militias have exploited the rich resources of Afrin, including olive groves and other agricultural lands, for economic gain. This has led to accusations of looting and unfair resource distribution. b. Impact on Livelihoods: The appropriation of resources has adversely affected the livelihoods of local residents who heavily depend on agriculture. The economic repercussions further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the region.
* International Response and Diplomatic Efforts: a. United Nations: The United Nations has expressed concerns about the situation in Afrin, calling for an immediate end to human rights abuses and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, there has been limited progress in garnering a unified international response. b. Diplomatic Initiatives: Some countries and international organizations have initiated diplomatic efforts to address the crisis, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and negotiations to find a sustainable and just solution.
* Role of Mercenary Militias: a. Proxy Warfare: The involvement of mercenary militias in the conflict raises questions about the use of proxy forces and their accountability. These groups, often accused of human rights abuses, operate with varying degrees of oversight and control. b. Long-term Stability Concerns: The reliance on mercenary militias for military operations may pose long-term stability challenges, as their interests and allegiances may not align with broader regional or international goals for peace and security.
* Impact on Regional Dynamics: a. Neighboring Countries: The occupation of Afrin has geopolitical implications, impacting relations between Turkey and neighboring countries. It has also sparked concerns about the potential for broader regional destabilization. b. Refugee Crisis: The displacement and resettlement of populations contribute to the already complex refugee crisis in the Middle East. The situation in Afrin adds another layer to the challenges faced by refugees and host communities in the region.
* Legal Implications and Accountability: a. International Law: The occupation of Afrin raises questions about its compliance with international law, including the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of minority rights. Legal experts call for investigations into potential war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law. b. Accountability Mechanisms: There is a growing demand for establishing accountability mechanisms to hold those responsible for human rights violations in Afrin accountable. Calls for international tribunals or investigations by bodies such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) have been made.
* Media and Information Warfare:
- Censorship and Disinformation: The conflict in Afrin has been accompanied by reports of media censorship and disinformation campaigns. Controlling the narrative has become a critical aspect of the conflict, influencing public opinion both domestically and internationally.
* b. Role of Social Media: Social media platforms have played a significant role in disseminating information and shaping public perception. However, they have also been used to spread propaganda and false narratives, adding complexity to understanding the realities on the ground.
A detailed report on violations:
With the aim of consolidating its control in Afrin canton and changing its demographics; Turkey, with support and funding from Muslim Brotherhood associations, established 22 settlements on the lands and property of the displaced, including hundreds of settlement units, and the resettlement of families from other regions and countries there.
“After forcibly displacing more than 350,000 people from the people of occupied Afrin, during its occupation of their province on March 18, 2018, the Turkish occupation state sought to change the demographics of the province; To consolidate its occupation there by establishing more than (22) settlements and housing more than 500 thousand settlers there, and settling them in areas other than theirs, with the support and financing of Muslim Brotherhood associations.
The occupying state worked to settle Turkmen and Palestinian families in these settlements and the homes of the displaced.
According to statistics, the percentage of Turkmen brought from various Syrian regions constitutes 30%, while the percentage of Palestinians is 5%.
This is in addition to the resettlement of the families of its mercenaries who were brought by the occupying state in agreement with Russia and the Damascus government from Eastern Ghouta in the countryside of the capital, Damascus, several days after the occupation of Afrin. To settle it in place of its people who were forcibly displaced from their homes by the occupation.
Similar to Ghouta, the three parties transferred the Turkish occupation mercenaries and their families in 2020 from the Daraa areas to northern Syria and settled them in the occupied areas of Afrin, Al-Bab, Azaz, and Jarabulus.
In detail, more than 22 settlements in 5 years
The first step of the Turkish occupation, on November 15, 2018, was the establishment of a settlement complex called the “Shamiya Village” after the mercenaries of the Levant Front, on the mountain slopes west of the town of Maryamin, south of the city of Afrin.
And the construction of residential apartments on the banks of the Afrin River in the city center, January 4, 2021, with support and funding by “relief organizations.”
In the center of the occupied city of Afrin, the Turkish occupation authorities seized the records of the indigenous people in the Ashrafieh neighborhood, which belong to Mahmoud Kalash, Hanan Nasser, and Muhammad Ali, residents of the village of Qibar. To establish a camp for the families of mercenaries there.
Our agency obtained information from its sources about the settlements established by the occupying state with funding from organizations operating under “charitable” names.
Mobata district
The Qatari association called “Al-Bayan” established a settlement complex in the village of Afraza in the Mabata district, in the square where Nowruz celebrations were held.
Janders district
Building settlements in (the village of Muhammadiyah and Deir Ballut, establishing settlement units on top of the archaeological hill of Jandris district and near the village of Yalanquz, the village of Jalma, Diwan Tahtani, Qulkeh, Iska, and Kafr Safra) and supervised by the so-called “AFAD” association affiliated with the Turkish occupation state.
In the village of Haj Hasno, the Syrian Forum, headed by the so-called “Ghassan Hitto,” the former president of the so-called “Interim Coalition Government” affiliated with the mercenaries, announced that the so-called “Al-Ihsan Relief and Development” institution, headed by Baraa Al-Samoudi, had begun on April 2, 2021, to implement the 247 building project. A settlement unit on “Giai Shuti” near Mount Qazqli in the vicinity of the village of Kafr Safra.
The Brotherhood’s so-called “White Hands” association, in cooperation with the Turkish occupation, completed the construction of a settlement village on the “Jabal Sheikh Muhammad” site, northwest of the village of Kafr Safra, in September 2022. To settle “Palestinian” families living in the vicinity of Damascus.
The Palestinian so-called “Ajnadayn” association opened a settlement that it established between the villages of Hamilka and Rifatiya in Janders, January 4, 2023, to settle 200 families of Turkish occupation mercenaries.
Raju district
The Turkish occupation established 3 settlement complexes along the border strip in the villages of the district.
The establishment of a settlement in the village of Maidan Ikbis, located on the border with the Turkish occupation state, and a settlement in the plain of the village of Shadia.
Shih district
Building a settlement in the village of Jaqla with support and funding from the mercenaries of “Sultan Suleiman Shah” (Al-Amshat), and a settlement complex between the village of Jaqla and Qarmatluq to settle 300 families of the Turkish occupation mercenaries who fought in Libya.
Shara district
In the Yazidi village of Pavilion, the occupying state established on November 12, 2020, a settlement complex containing 70 settlement units called “Al-Taawoun Camp,” with funding from Qatari and Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood associations, where hundreds of families from various Syrian regions settled there, in addition to the village of Qibar.
Sherawa district
The so-called “Living in Dignity for the People of Palestine 48” association established a settlement complex that includes 99 settlement units under the name “Basma”, in the Yazidi village of Shadereh. To resettle Palestinian families brought by the Turkish occupation state from Palestinian camps in Syria, including Yarmouk camp.
In the village of Khalta, the occupying state established a settlement complex containing 300 settlement units under the name “Kuwait of Mercy” with support and funding from the Kuwaiti Brotherhood associations.
Confusion area
As for the Balbala district, the occupation established 7 settlements to settle families it brought from other Syrian regions. Last year, under Russian sponsorship, it brought 30 families from the village of Umm Batna in Quneitra, according to the Afrin-Syria Human Rights Organization.
Settlements under construction
The so-called “White Hands” Association is working to establish a new settlement in the forest forests located in the village of Qatma in the Shara district, under the name of the village (Al-Safiya), with support and funding from the Palestinian and Gulf Brotherhood associations.
In a related context, sources said that the so-called “Wafaa al-Muhsinin” association began establishing a new settlement in the village of Kafr Safra during September 2022.
This information constitutes a small part of what the Turkish occupation state is practicing in terms of demographic change in occupied Afrin, as it works to erase and obliterate its original culture and Turkishize it in preparation. To remove it from Syrian lands, and annex it to Turkish lands.
In conclusion, the multifaceted issue of violations by the Turkish army and mercenary militias in the occupation of Afrin, the settlement of Palestinians, and the establishment of villages on Kurdish lands for an Arab and Turkmen component on the occupied lands raises profound questions about justice, human rights, and the geopolitics of the region.
The reported violations and demographic changes in Afrin underscore the complexities of conflict dynamics, as well as the challenges inherent in pursuing geopolitical objectives at the expense of local populations. The plight of the Kurds, the displacement of Palestinians, and the broader consequences of altering the demographic landscape call for a nuanced understanding of the region’s history, identities, and aspirations.
As the international community grapples with the aftermath of these events, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of transparent investigations into alleged human rights violations, accountability for those responsible, and a commitment to fostering conditions conducive to the safe return of displaced populations. Moreover, sustainable peace and stability in the region demand a diplomatic approach that respects the rights and aspirations of all communities involved.
The issues surrounding Afrin serve as a poignant reminder that the pursuit of geopolitical goals should not eclipse the fundamental principles of human rights, self-determination, and the protection of vulnerable populations. Moving forward, it is crucial for the global community to engage in constructive dialogue, promote reconciliation, and work towards solutions that respect the rights and dignity of all individuals affected by these geopolitical realities. Only through a concerted effort to address the root causes of conflict and injustice can a path to lasting peace and stability in the region be forged.
Sources:
- TURKEY’S UNOFFICIAL MILITARY: MERCENARIES & JIHADISTS
By Dr. Hawzhin Azeez, October 2023
https://nlka.net/eng/turkeys-unofficial-military-mercenaries-jihadists/
- Turkiye, allied militias ‘systematically oppress’ Kurds of Afrin: Report
https://new.thecradle.co/articles/turkiye-allied-militias-systematically-oppress-kurds-of-afrin-report
- Palestinian NGO funds building new Turkish settlement in Syria’s Afrin
Palestinian NGO funds building new Turkish settlement in Syria’s Afrin
- https://www.ceasefire.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CFR_Syria_EN_July20.pdf
- https://rojavainformationcenter.com/storage/2021/10/Q2-Occupation-Report.pdf
- https://www.americanprogress.org/article/northern-syria-security-dynamics-refugee-crisis/
- https://euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/publications/2023-02/2023_Country_Guidance_Syria.pdf
- https://www.government.nl/binaries/government/documenten/reports/2021/06/14/country-of-origin-information-report-syria-june-2021/EN-AAB-Syrie-juni-2021.pdf
- Investigating and Taking Action Against Illegal Financing of Palestinian Settlements on Kurdish Lands in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava)
* superintendent. Kurdistan – Israel Alliance
Association
** https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrin,_Syria