HADEEL AL-OMAR

Idlib- Many women and children have been killed and injured in accidents caused by Turkish military armored vehicles in Idlib, a city in northwestern Syria while the attacks of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions on North and East Syria continue.

 ‘They have gone unpunished although they killed my child’

Rasha Al-Jabban (8) is one of the children killed by Turkish military armored vehicles. She was killed by a Turkish armored vehicle while crossing a road in the town of Sarmada in late 2022. “A Turkish armored vehicle ran over my child and killed her,” Hayat Al-Jabban, mother of Rasha Al-Jabban, told NuJINHA. “The driver of the vehicle didn't even try to stop. He kept driving as if nothing had happened. Two years have passed since my child was killed. they have gone unpunished although they killed my child.”

Maryam Al-Zaarour injured by Turkish armored vehicle

Maryam Al-Zaarour, 37, was seriously injured by a Turkish armored vehicle in the city of Idlib in July 2019. “I was injured after being run over by a Turkish armored vehicle while walking in the city's crowded market. Accidents caused by the Turkish armored vehicles are not just individual accidents but also violations of human rights.”

‘The Turkish state is primarily responsible for the accidents’

Maryam Al-Zaarour, a student of the Faculty of Law at the University of Aleppo, has left her education incomplete due to the recent attacks on Aleppo. “Everyone is responsible to ensure that civilians are not harmed during military operations and what has happened in Idlib. However, those who commit rights violations against civilians have gone unpunished; justice is not served. The Turkish state is primarily responsible for the accidents and the second is the authorities. The authorities must protect civilians. I call on the international community and human rights organizations to take action against the accidents caused by Turkish armored vehicles in Idlib.”

Roaa Al-Sharif witnessed how a Turkish armored vehicle ran over a child returning from school.

“I never forget that moment,” said Roaa Al-Sharif, “The child was lying on the ground. The people, especially women, should raise their voices against the accidents. Legal support should also be provided to families who have lost their loved ones in armored vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, the accidents are not reported by local media outlets.”

‘Lack of accountability and preventive measures…’

Most local media outlets refrain from criticizing the Turkish state because they are subjected to political oppression, Roaa Al-Şarif stressed, adding: “Urgent action should be taken against such accidents so that civilians can have a safe life. Local authorities must take immediate action to protect civilians. Lack of accountability and preventive measures pave the way for more accidents.”