KNK: Stop Turkey’s Aerial Genocide Against the Kurds

The Executive Council of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) released a statement to condemn the simultaneous attacks carried out by Turkey against Shengal, Maxmur and Rojava.

The statement said: “On February 1st, at 10 pm, the Turkish Air Force carried out a systematic bombing campaign against civilian areas throughout Kurdistan. These areas include the Refugee Camp in Mexmûr (Maxmur), Geliyê Kersê,  Barê and Çil Mêra near Şengal (Sinjar) in Southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq); as well as the village of Teqil Beqil near Dêrik in Rojava (northern Syria).

This coordinated war crime took place just days after Erdoğan’s regime in Turkey attempted to rescue thousands of ISIS fighters from Sina’a Prison in the city of Hesekê (Hasakah). Luckily, because of the bravery and heroism of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) this prison break was defeated.”

The statement added: “The latest defeat mirrors the heroic victory against ISIS in the city of Kobanê seven years ago and is a reminder to the world that Turkey’s hope of utilizing ISIS and similar proxy mercenaries against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has not ended.

Erdoğan’s regime also wants to distract from his domestic failures by relaunching his crusade against Rojava / AANES and occupy all the remaining areas within Syria where not only Kurds live free, but their Arab, Armenian, Assyrian, Turkmen, and Circassian allies. They wish to spread the darkness and despair of occupied Efrîn, Serê Kaniyê, and Girê Spî over the rest of northeast Syria.”

The statement continued: “Thankfully, the Kurdish Freedom Movement is stronger than ever, and Turkey cannot break our will for self-determination, democracy, women’s equality, and an ecological life. What is disheartening however, is the silence and complicity of the United Nations, European Union, NATO, and the Council of Europe, all of whom are aware of this onslaught of Turkish state terrorism.”

Recalling that “the West has said “Never Again” regarding genocide, yet Turkey is continually allowed to pursue its genocidal barbarism against millions of Kurds throughout Kurdistan,”, the KNK demand that “these aforementioned international bodies stop Erdoğan’s aerial massacres through all diplomatic means available and implement economic sanctions against his regime if necessary. He should also be brought before the International Criminal Court to answer for his litany of crimes against humanity.

Furthermore, we demand the legal recognition of the AANES and the Yazidis in Şengal, so they can fully guarantee their own safety from Turkish attacks.”