More than 70 MPs and Lords from multiple parties, including the ruling Labour Party and the main opposition Conservative Party, sent a letter to British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, drawing attention to the fact that the Kurdish people in Rojava are facing a real and imminent threat of violence.
The letter, titled ‘The Deteriorating Security Situation in North-East Syria’ said: “As a group of cross-party MPs and Peers, we are writing to you to express our concern about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in North-East Syria, where Kurdish communities face a real and imminent threat of violence.
Over the past few days, forces under the direction of President Ahmed al-Sharaa have escalated their presence in North-East Syria, following the withdrawal of the Western-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Credible reporting indicates severe risk to civilian life, with local authorities also reporting that more than 150,000 people have been displaced. Syrian authorities have confirmed that thousands of civilians have fled the area, amid warnings of landmines and unexploded ordnance.
The SDF’s withdrawal comes as a direct response to attacks from Syrian Government forces, including units linked directly to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. These include the Hamza Division, the Sultan Murad Division, and the Sultan Suleiman Shah Division, all of which are designated under the UK’s sanctions regimes for their role in violent attacks against civilians.”
The letter added: “Unfortunately, the current violence risks inflicting even more harm on innocent civilians, and particularly on the local Kurdish population. Early reports indicate indiscriminate attacks against Kurdish communities.
Of particular note is the SDF’s withdrawal from Al-Hol Camp, where the ISIS-linked families were being held, due to ongoing shelling and attacks by Syrian Government forces. Similarly, the SDF was forced to withdraw from Al-Shadadi Camp, where a reported 2,000 ISIS fighters were being held. The subsequent uncertainty over what will now happen to these ISIS fighters is deeply concerning, given the potential implications for regional and national security.
For Kurdish communities, consistently some of the UK’s staunchest allies in the region, the ongoing escalation foreshadows a return to the days of widespread ISIS terror in Syria. Given the incredible resolve that Kurdish communities displayed in defeating ISIS in Syria, the UK owes Syrian Kurds its support.”
The letter underlined that “these developments demand more than expressions of concern, and calls for de-escalation. The UK must now work closely with its partners, both in the region and beyond, to coordinate a response which protects Kurdish communities in North-East Syria, and ensures a long–lasting and sustainable settlement for the region. It must do so rapidly, given how quickly the situation is evolving, and it must do so decisively,” and “urge the Government to:
1. Make clear its position against violence against civilians, and in favour of a long- standing political settlement in Syria which respects the rights of all minority groups;
2. Consider targeted sanctions against individuals and entities found to be responsible
for violence against civilians;
3. Intensify its diplomatic efforts with both regional and global allies, to prevent further
military escalation and to protect civilian populations;
4. Ensure that sufficient humanitarian aid is provided to communities in North-East
Syria, and that this aid is safeguarded as it is delivered.”
The letter concluded: “A failure to act quickly and decisively risks enabling a further escalation of violence, and puts Kurdish communities in Syria at risk. The safety of Kurdish communities – and of minority populations in Syria more broadly – is a matter of deep concern for the UK.
We eagerly await your response, and for a clarification on what the Government intends to do to prevent this situation from deteriorating even further. This country owes a debt of gratitude to the countless Kurdish men and women who have stood bravely against ISIS terror over many years. The very least that we can do to repay them is to take action in this hour of grave need.”
The signatories are as follows:
Luke Akehurst MP
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP Dr Scott Arthur MP
Richard Baker MP
Alex Ballinger MP
Paula Barker MP
Sian Berry MP
Chris Bloore MP
Dawn Butler MP
Maureen Burke MP
Ruth Cadbury MP
Sarah Champion MP Bambos Charalambous MP Feryal Clark MP
Dr Beccy Cooper MP
Daisy Cooper MP
Stella Creasy MP Steve Darling MP Carla Denyer MP Jim Dickson MP Mary Kelly Foy MP Daniel Francis MP Andrew George MP Terry Jermy MP Kim Johnson MP Ben Lake MP
Peter Lamb MP
Chris Law MP
Noah Law MP
Siobhan McDonagh MP John McDonnell MP Llinos Medi MP Navendu Mishra MP Grahame Morris MP Brendan O’Hara MP Chi Onwurah MP
Kate Osborne MP Toby Perkins MP Adrian Ramsey MP Marie Rimmer MP Oliver Ryan MP
Liz Saville Roberts MP Jim Shannon MP Sarah Smith MP
Alex Sobel MP
Ian Sollom MP
Kirsteen Sullivan MP
Henry Tufnell MP
Derek Twigg MP
Chris Webb MP
Nadia Whittome MP
Gavin Williamson MP
Sean Woodcock MP
Lord Alton of Liverpool
Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle Baroness Carberry
Lord Cashman
Lord Doyle
Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee Baroness Goudie
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Lord Hain
Lord Hendy
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb Lord Khan of Burnley
Lord Kinnock
Lord Mann
Lord Moraes
Lord Moynihan
Lord Ranger
Lord Singh of Wimbledon
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