As of 8 December, the uncertainty that began with the fall of the Assad regime still persists across the country. Although the jihadist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its leader Al-Jolani (Ahmed Al-Sharaa) have delivered messages hinting at change after taking power, developments on the ground do not align with their rhetoric. European politicians, who initially engaged with HTS and Al-Jolani (Al-Sharaa) to discuss the future shaping of a new Syria, are now increasingly consumed by growing concerns. Aware of this reality, Al-Jolani seeks to escape this deadlock with the support of Turkey and the Gulf states.

On the other hand, the model of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, which holds great significance for the future of a democratic Syria, continues to be closely followed and supported by European politicians. Recently, a European delegation composed of politicians, parliamentarians, and local administrators visited the Autonomous Administration region and held various meetings.

Paris Municipal Council Member and one of France’s leading human rights defenders, Geneviève Garrigos, spoke to ANF about her impressions of the region and assessed the importance of the Rojava model for the future of Syria.

Regime change in Damascus did not bring peace

Garrigos said that during the delegation’s visit, they had the opportunity to meet with a wide range of figures, including the Co-Chairs of the Autonomous Administration, the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi, officials from the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) and the People's Protection Units (YPG), as well as the Co-Chairs of the Kobané Municipality. She shared her impressions as follows: “We had the chance to travel across almost the entire Rojava region, from the Tigris to the Euphrates. We visited Qamishlo, Hesekê, Raqqa, and of course, Kobane.

Although it was thought that regime change in Damascus might bring peace, this has certainly not been the case. The attacks by the Turkish state, whether through bombings or through the Syrian National Army (SNA) participating in ground offensives, pose a constant threat. The situation of those who were forced to flee Afrin (Efrîn) in 2018 and later had to leave Shahba clearly illustrates this reality. We also encountered displaced people from these regions in Raqqa.”

People live in constant fear of being targeted

Geneviève Garrigos recalled the historic resistance at the Tishrin Dam and said, “We visited the Tishrin Dam and had the opportunity to speak with civilians who supported the resistance there. However, Turkey shows no respect even for civilians visiting the area and attacks them. Some of the individuals we planned to meet had been severely wounded and had to undergo surgery. The attacks are not limited to the forces defending the region; specific locations have been bombed continuously, and civilians are targeted by drones.

Throughout our visit, we received news of people losing their lives in different areas. In other words, even though there has been a change of power in Damascus, the war is still deeply felt among the people of Rojava. It is not only visible through the events we witnessed; the continuation of the wartime atmosphere is clearly reflected in the people’s state of mind. Their fears are justified, because they live under the constant threat of drone attacks at any moment.”

The attacks have never stopped since Afrin

Garrigos said that the Turkish state's assaults on Rojava fall within the scope of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and continued: “The targeting of civilians, including the recent attack on an ambulance and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, such as the main power plant in Qamishlo that provides electricity, or the targeting of the Tishrin Dam, and most importantly, the bombing of civilians and direct attacks on them, are already considered war crimes. So, the issue is not limited to what happened in Afrin in 2018. These attacks have never ceased. I spoke with people who had been forced to flee Afrin. Since 2018, their only wish has been to return to their homes. None of the crimes committed against these people should be forgotten. Justice must be served.”

The Damascus government must take the Rojava model into account

Garrigos pointed out that the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria continues to defend and fully implement the model of democratic confederalism despite all attacks and threats. She stated: “The Autonomous Administration is both fighting against the threats directed at the region and striving to implement and defend a democratic confederal system that places women at its center. Through the democratic system it has built in its own region, the Autonomous Administration is sending a strong message to the government in Damascus regarding the future of Syria. The new government in Damascus must take Rojava and its model into account.”

We have a responsibility to protect Rojava

Garrigos criticized the silence of the international community in the face of the Turkish state's attacks and threats against Rojava and pointed to the following: “we are witnessing one of the most critical moments in the history of international law. We are witnessing how international law is being disregarded in Ukraine, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and many other conflict zones. The same violations are being committed in Syria by the Turkish state. The powers responsible for protecting international law must act against violations committed by the Turkish state, just as they are expected to act elsewhere, and they must protect Rojava.”

Garrigos emphasized that what struck her most during the visit to Rojava was the immense scale of the struggle against ISIS. She stressed that the international community has a responsibility to protect Rojava.

Garrigos said, “One of the most moving aspects of our visit to Rojava was witnessing the sacrifice and the magnitude of the struggle against ISIS. We visited Hol Camp, where thousands of ISIS members and their families are being held. We saw the destruction in Raqqa. Places that were once known as 'the squares of hell' are now being rebuilt. The sacrifice we witnessed at the cemeteries in Kobané reflects one of the heaviest prices paid in human history; it spoke to us of the enormity of the resistance against ISIS. As discussions about the construction of a new Syria continue, the international powers must never abandon Rojava. Protecting and embracing Rojava is a responsibility and a moral duty for all of us.”