📰 AANES marks first anniversary of forced displacement from Afrin and Shahba

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) marked on Tuesday the first anniversary of the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Kurdish residents from Afrin and Shahba, north of Aleppo, which occurred during the Dawn of Freedom Operation on Dec. 2, 2024. In a statement, the AANES stated the people of Afrin and Shahba have faced systematic attacks, violations, and property seizures since the 2018 occupation of the region, describing these abuses as a violation of human rights and international conventions.

The statement criticized the Syrian transitional authorities for failing to restrain the armed factions responsible for the abuses, leaving the relocated communities’ suffering unresolved. Despite political changes in Syria following the fall of the Ba’ath regime, the AANES noted that Kurdish residents of Afrin, Shahba, as well as areas including Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad, have not been allowed to return safely to their homes, farmlands, or towns. The AANES called for urgent national and international action to guarantee the right of return and ensure a dignified life for all Syrians.

The statement also highlighted the rising hate speech and incitement to hostilities in media and political rhetoric, particularly during demonstrations near Damascus, which the AANES warned could further inflame divisions and hinder Syria’s democratic transition. Concluding, the AANES stressed that the safe return of relocated Syrians, ending occupation, and halting violations are essential for rebuilding trust among communities, advancing reconciliation, and achieving a democratic, decentralized Syria where all citizens’ rights are protected. By Jwan Shekaki