Qamishlo Popular Initiative condemns attacks on Tal Abyad returnees

The Popular Initiative in Qamishlo issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the assaults targeting displaced people returning to Tal Abyad several days ago.

The statement was read by Wasil Asaad, a member of the Popular Initiative, at Martyrs’ Roundabout in the presence of dozens of residents.

The statement said, “We, the Popular Initiative in Qamishlo, strongly condemn and denounce the violations and assaults witnessed in the Raqqa and Tal Abyad areas.”

It held the transitional government legally, nationally and morally responsible for protecting all citizens without discrimination and ensuring their security, dignity and rights, regardless of their ethnic, religious or sectarian backgrounds. Protecting citizens, it stressed, is the responsibility of the state, not a privilege granted to one group over another.

The statement also called for serious, transparent and independent investigations into all violations reported in Raqqa and Tal Abyad, urging authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents, identify those responsible and hold accountable, in accordance with the law, anyone found to have committed, incited or facilitated the crimes, without protection, exceptions or impunity.

The statement called for urgent security measures to protect civilians and displaced people returning to their areas, prevent threats, violations, acts of retaliation and intimidation, and ensure the safe and dignified return of everyone wishing to return to their homes and villages.

It urged official authorities to put an end to all practices and rhetoric that fuel ethnic or sectarian divisions or exploit the transitional period to justify attacks on citizens or undermine their rights. The statement warned that, unless firmly addressed, the continuation of such practices would pose a real threat to civil peace and stability in the region.

The statement also called for guarantees that state institutions and security agencies would not be used to shield violations, and that all entities and individuals would be subject to the law. It stressed the need to publicly announce the findings of investigations and transparently hold those responsible accountable, in order to restore public trust in institutions and affirm that justice applies to everyone.

The statement noted that the transitional period should be an opportunity to build a state founded on justice, equal citizenship and the rule of law, rather than an excuse to entrench fear, discrimination or revenge. It stressed that stability and national reconciliation cannot be achieved without accountability, nor can social unity be secured by disregarding victims’ suffering and rights.

The statement stressed that the silence of the relevant authorities or delays in taking concrete action would heighten public concerns and undermine trust in the official role. It called for a clear end to violations and urged authorities to translate their statements into tangible protection for civilians and genuine accountability for those responsible for crimes and abuses. It added that justice is not built on selectivity, and that a state is measured not only by its ability to assert its authority, but also by its capacity to protect its citizens, deliver justice to the oppressed and hold perpetrators accountable.

The statement held the relevant authorities responsible for taking the necessary measures and called on them to act urgently to halt violations, protect civilians, uncover the truth and hold anyone found to be involved accountable, in order to prevent such crimes from recurring, preserve civil peace and safeguard the rights of all residents of the region.

No to discord between the two peoples

Hassen Ferhan Abdulrahman al-Taie, head of the Arab Tay clan council, also addressed the gathering, saying, “By standing together here at this moment, we are demonstrating to Syrians at home and abroad that we are Syrian. We say no to discord and no to social media pages seeking to undermine the harmonious relationship between the two peoples.”

He added, “The Kurdish people have endured immense suffering throughout history, struggled and made many sacrifices. Kurdish figures have also contributed to shaping Syria’s modern history.”

The event concluded with chants calling for unity between the Kurdish and Arab peoples. Meanwhile, a delegation of Kurdish and Arab residents headed to the Qamishlo District Directorate to submit their demands to the director.

ANHA