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  • Human Rights Organizations Warn of Escalating Violence in Northern Syria and Call for Protection of Civilians

Human Rights Organizations Warn of Escalating Violence in Northern Syria and Call for Protection of Civilians
الصراع في سوريا

The organizations signing this statement warn of the serious repercussions resulting from the recent military escalation in northern Syria and call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians, halt violations, and adhere to international humanitarian law.

Since November 27, 2024, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, designated as a terrorist organization, has launched a wide-scale military assault under the title "Battle of Deterrence Against Aggression."

This offensive rapidly led to the capture of the city of Aleppo and large areas of its countryside, completing the control of all of Idlib province and parts of Hama province, following the withdrawals and collapses experienced by the Syrian government forces and their allied militias. This coincided with deadly airstrikes by Syrian and Russian aircraft targeting hospitals and civilian sites in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties, both dead and injured.

 

On November 30, 2024, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army took advantage of the changes in the front lines to begin a military operation named "Dawn of Freedom" in northern Aleppo and the Shahba regions, which are under the control of the People’s Protection Units (YPG). This operation led to the forced displacement of tens of thousands of internally displaced persons, most of whom are from the Kurdish canton of Afrin, making them victims of a new wave of displacement after previously being displaced during Operation Olive Branch in 2018.

Numerous violations against Kurdish civilians, including Yazidis, have been documented by the attacking forces. These violations included the arrest of dozens, killings and looting, assaults on displacement convoys, and unprecedented incitement and hate speech. Reports indicated that a group of civilians who tried to return to Afrin faced arrest, beatings, and theft of their personal belongings, with cases of individuals reported missing.

Syrian organizations warn that this military escalation represents a dangerous turning point in the Syrian conflict, raising genuine concerns among many communities, particularly religious and ethnic minorities, which have a complex history of violations. These conditions also alarm residents in areas outside government control who have witnessed airstrikes from government and Russian forces resulting in civilian fatalities and injuries.

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