The Kurdish umbrella organization KON-MED has called for an immediate halt to Turkey's military attacks on the autonomous region of Northern and Eastern Syria. The deadly attacks, which mainly affect civilians, including women and children, as well as vital infrastructure, are to be classified as war crimes under international law, said the association's co-chairs Ruken Akça and Kerem Gök, in Berlin.

The international community must immediately address the warlike actions of the leadership in Ankara and establish a no-fly zone for Turkish bombers, said the co-chairs.

Since the Islamist militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized power in Syria in early December, Turkey has been using the resulting power vacuum to launch a new occupation offensive in the areas of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria (DAANES). The country is using its air force specifically against civilians and using the Syrian National Army (SNA) as a proxy force on the ground. The primary goal is to destroy the multi-ethnic and multi-religious autonomous region.

The focus of the attacks is the Manbij region and in particular the strategically important Tishrin Dam. The facility, which has already been damaged as a result of heavy bombing, is considered an important lifeline and not only represents an important source of water and energy for Manbij, Kobanê and other areas of the country, but is also important for the course of possible further conflicts between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the SNA. If the militias loyal to Erdoğan take over the dam, the way would be clear for an invasion of Kobanê.

In order to stop the attacks on the dam, a peace vigil has been taking place at the Tishrin Dam since the middle of last week, in which several hundred people are taking part. Nevertheless, the bombing of the facility continues. The Turkish army and its proxies do not shy away from massacres. Since Wednesday, at least five people have been killed and 40 others, some seriously injured, in air and drone attacks on the vigil and vehicle convoys carrying civilians who were on their way to the event.

Unconditional will to destroy

KON-MED said: "Turkey is making it clear that it will use any means possible to destroy a unique democratic project that promotes the participation of all ethnic and religious groups as well as women and is a model for a pluralistic Syria. In doing so, Turkey is continually committing war crimes and crimes against humanity."

The association warns that the ongoing attacks on the Tishrin Dam also threaten a humanitarian catastrophe. "Serious damage could lead to a dam burst, which would result in flooding and unimaginable suffering for people and the environment. The Autonomous Administration is urgently warning against a collapse that would have fatal consequences for the entire region."