Posted on 01/30/2019 7:23:26 AM PST by Texas Fossil
January 20 was the 1st-anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Afrin, the northwest Syrian enclave that had been under the control of Syrian Kurdish militias from the People’s Protection Units (YPG).
Discussion of Afrin is off limits in Turkey, where only acclaim of the conquest is permitted. It is likely no coincidence that, days before the operation’s anniversary, prosecutors prepared an indictment against Necla Demir and her news site Gazete Karınca for reporting the realities of Afrin. The regime is warning others not to broach the subject.
In fact, there is little need for such a warning, since in Turkey the operation is a source of pride for people of all sides, with the exception of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). The triumphal legends of the “New Turkey” are being written on Syrian land!
Despite, Afrin is under strict lockdown, and no one can enter besides military officers, Turkish civil servants and the regime media. There are no independent sources on what took place during the Turkish attack, and what has happened since March, when Turkey invaded the city thanks to military support from Russia. What information we have comes to us second-hand.
This is the case with two reports by intergovernmental institutions scrutinising claims of crimes against civilians and human rights infractions. The first was prepared by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights last June. Another report by the same body presented to the Human Rights Council under “situations that require the Council’s attention” was published in September. Naturally, U.N.’s rapporteurs were not permitted to carry out fieldwork, but in any case, by cross referencing their data they have presented the most objective analyses possible.
Both reports say it is beyond doubt the invading force has violated the rights of the civilian population of Afrin, both during the military operation and after it.
(Excerpt) Read more at ahvalnews.com ...
Efrin (Afrin) is just one of many past and continuing efforts to expand by conquest, stifle and eliminate all internal opposition by brutal force and stealth. The track recored is undeniable and continuing.
It is an indisputable fact.
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