RUPARIN BAKIR

Shahba – In NE Syria, displaced people of Afrin held a protest in front of the Russian military headquarters in Shahba. The protesters urged Russian officials to put pressure on Turkey in order to stop threatening and attacking the area. People carried photos showing the atrocities and crimes committed by the occupying Turkish state in the occupied areas. They also shouted slogans calling for an end to Turkish interference in regional affairs.

On May 23, the occupying Turkish threatened to launch a savage offensive in NE Syria while it carried out its attacks and shelling on the villages of Shahba canton and the Sherawa district of Afrin, targeting the lives and security of hundreds of thousands displaced people and their families.

Yesterday, the people from Shahba canton and the displaced people of Afrin held a protest in Wahsheya village in front of the Russian military headquarters, condemning the threats and the attacks. The protesters called on the Russian forces to fulfill their responsibilities and duties to put an end to Turkish military operations in the region.

During the protest, Ruqayya Ahmed told our agency, "We did not and will not fear the occupying Turkish state’s threats and assaults on our area. Its threats are not new for us. The occupying Turkish state has threatened us and our region to force us to leave Shahba.”

"All nations of the world and humanitarian organizations are aware of the atrocities perpetrated in our regions by the occupying Turkish state, but they turn a blind eye to everything,” said Ruqayya Ahmed, one of the protesters.

Almaza Hasso told us why they demonstrated in front of the Russian military headquarters as follows: “Russia is considered a guarantor in the region, but it is not performing its role," implying that it is the obligation of Russian forces positioned in Syria to carry out their promises.

While Zainab Bilal stated that the occupying Turkish state has been attacking and threatening the people of Afrin since they were forcibly displaced from their homeland. "How long will the Syrian people be a tool and a target to accomplish foreign governments' interests and plans?" she asked.

She demanded the safety and security in the region so that all Syrians will return to their homes, and hoped that Russian forces would play its role in stopping the occupying Turkish state’s attacks on the region.

Maqbula Hanan, another protester, stated that the displaced people of Afrin in Shahba will never forget what Russian forces did by conspiring and approving Turkey's attack against Afrin canton more than four years ago.

"We will keep struggling and resisting, and we will stay firm and resistive until the liberation of Afrin,” Maqbuleh said, adding that Turkey has no right to be in Syrian territory and that its presence is an illegitimate occupation.

Fidan Aliko called on the international community, as well as humanitarian, international, and human rights groups, to speak out against the abuses and atrocities carried out in Turkey's occupied Syrian areas. She highlighted that the Syrian regions occupied by Turkey would face a similar destiny, and that the international community must intervene to prevent Turkey from acting alone and eject it from Syria in order to promote peace and wave the way for discussion and a peaceful resolution.

During the protest, a delegation consisting of regional leaders, notables from Arab clans, and the displaced people of Afrin went to the Russian military headquarters and handed over a written message. But the Russian officials refused to welcome the delegation at the headquarters. As a result, the people and delegation continued to protest in front of the Russian military headquarters until the Russian officials responded to their message and demands.