The capture of Afrin by Turkey a flagrant violation of International Law

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 19 March 2018, London

The capture of the city of Afrin by the Turkish army represents a new act of aggression, brutality and brutal violation of International Law, as well as of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria on the part of Turkey. The destruction, the looting and the images of the thousands of families that are being uprooted from their homes, can only bring to our minds the tragedy of the Cypriot people.

At the same time, the international community’s attitude towards the new crime committed by Turkey against Syria and the Kurds of the country constitutes a shameful stand that will go down in world history. Turkey is a key component of the problem in the operation waged for the destabilization and division of Syria that triggered the war and bloodshed. Together with others, the Erdogan government over the past years, with the backing of NATO, armed and supported the hordes of the murderous ISIS and other extremist opposition forces. NATO itself, according to its Secretary-General in his own words, who recently referred to the military operations in Afrin, did not hesitate to recognize Turkey’s “legitimate concerns over its security” and it’s “right to address them”.

We should not forget that the European Union too, with the unanimous decisions of its member-states as well, contributed to the arming and financing of forces such as the so-called “Free Syrian Army”, which today is participating together with the Turkish invaders in the massacres and looting against the Kurds of Syria.

AKEL stands in solidarity with the heroic struggle of the Syrian Kurds, who, we are sure, will not end after this development. We stand in solidarity with the struggle of Syria and its people, for peace and the defense of the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.