Syria Justice and Accountability Centre

Turkey must follow the principles of proportionality and distinction, adhere to international humanitarian law, and respect the rights of Kurdish populations. The same violations carried out during and after Turkey’s previous operations must not be repeated in northeast Syria.

Turkey's past operations in northern Aleppo resulted in major demographic changes. Around 137,000 people were displaced during Operation Olive Branch, leaving thousands of homes and shops vacant. Families who sought to take back their properties have limited avenues for recourse.

Turkey’s takeover of Kurdish-majority towns in NW Syria via its Arab FSA-affiliates intensified ethnic tensions. In Operation Olive Branch, Kurdish residents were arrested for any association to the YPG. Expressions of Kurdish culture and language were replaced with Turkish ones.

More than three years after Turkey first entered Syria, its vision for governance in the region remains unclear as it has allowed lawlessness to thrive. Looting, extortion, arbitrary detention, and kidnappings became commonplace; as was property seizures by rebel factions.

After a month-long siege in March 2018, Turkish-backed troops had looted shops and homes in Afrin. Compensation to victims never transpired on a meaningful scale. Turkey’s previous violations show its neglection to establish stability and rule of law through its Syrian proxies.

In light of the recent Turkish incursion, the fate of detained children remains uncertain. Kurdish control has weakened in NE Syria, leaving children more vulnerable to prisoner uprisings by IS. Prison crowding and the lack of physical and emotional care threatens their future.

The U.S. government should work closely with the Iraqi KRG to ensure that the border is open for refugees. Since the Turkish incursion, around 1000 refugees have crossed the border, but humanitarian organizations are anticipating much larger numbers in the coming months.

Rather than ceasing funds for Syria altogether, the U.S. should consider shifting funds to areas under Turkish control, contingent on local leaders meeting basic human rights standards. This would work to continue the stabilization efforts where possible.

The U.S. and Europe should make clear that the deportation of refugees is unacceptable, and work with Turkey to ensure international aid for Syrian communities inside Turkey while also accepting a greater number of refugees in their own countries.