URGENT APPEAL; STOP TURKISH INVASION OF NORTHERN SYRIA

Since 9th October 2019, the most peaceful region in Syria, controlled by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria – DAA, has become target of the Turkish
invasion. More than 160’000 people have become IDPs and Dozens have been killed.

As co-initiators of the DAA, we the Syriac Christians have a long and bloody history with the Turkish Republic. We remind the international community and public opinion of the Turkish Genocide of our people in 1915, which decimated the Syriac Christian population.

The Syriac Christians of Syria, on a political level on behalf of the Syriac Union Party, on a military level on behalf of the Syriac Military Council, and as founding members currently
serving on the Executive Council of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAA), seek support from the United Nations Security Council.

Together with Kurds, Arabs and Armenians, our Syriac Christian people we fought and died for our region alongside the International Coalition Forces. We have been agents for opening up our region to democracy, euqality and co-existence.

Turkey continues to threaten to invade and repatriate Sunni Arabs into the areas East of the Euphrates. This is a big concern for Christians, especially as Turkey relies on fundamentalist
Islamic groups to do their dirty work on the ground. Given what happened in Afrin (not to mention the 1915 Sayfo Genocide, which many of our forefathers were survivors), the Syriac
people know that any ceding of control over our land to Turkey will result in further human rights abuses, displacement and possibly the end of our community in this region of Syria.

During the fight against ISIS, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) arrested some most wanted and dangerous ISIS foreign fighters, which played crucial roles in Brussels and Paris attacks. Today, SDF, absent of international support, face another front against Turkey. DAA and SDF never had been a danger for Turkey. Moreover, DAA has been always transparent for the relations with neighboring countries. In order to fight against ISIS remnants in Syria and for the protection of the populations, international community must take action against Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria.

Ahead of United Nations Security Council meeting on Turkey invasion of northern Syria, we appeal to the UNSC members, the member states of the European Union and international
community to oblige Turkey to stop its invasion and its inhuman aggression on the Syrian people.