IPPNW calls on the German government to urge Turkey to immediately stop the military attacks by the Turkish army and the militias it supports in northern and eastern Syria.
Following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) is appealing to the German government to advocate for a comprehensive and inclusive peace process in Syria under the auspices of the United Nations. “All of Syria's minorities must be protected and included in a peace process. This should also include the involvement of civil society groups, with particular emphasis on women,” said the organization, also calling on the German government to work to ensure that military attacks by Turkey and Israel are stopped immediately, that Syria's territorial unity is preserved, and that all military forces withdraw from Syria.
“Currently, joy at the end of the Assad dictatorship prevails. Nevertheless, many Syrians fear the consequences of the victory of the Turkish-backed Islamist groups such as HTS or SNA. The UN Security Council has sanctioned the currently dominant militia HTS as a terrorist group. SNA troops have occupied the western territories of the Kurdish-Arab self-governing zone in north-eastern Syria,” the IPPNW stated in a press release on Wednesday. “The German government must call on Turkey to immediately stop the military attacks by the Turkish army and the militias it supports on the self-governing region of North and East Syria.”
In May 2024, the European Council extended EU sanctions against Syria until 1 June 2025. Even before the current developments, 90 percent of Syrians were living below the poverty line and had limited access to food, water, electricity, medicines and heating fuel. IPPNW is calling for the sanctions to be lifted to allow humanitarian aid.
“The German government not only supplies weapons to Turkey, but also cooperates with Turkey in repelling refugees. The EU-Turkey deal has led to a massive deterioration of the human rights situation in Turkey. The response to refugee movements must not be war, expulsion and forced resettlement. Instead, peace, democracy and human rights must be promoted. Instead of supplying weapons to war zones, the German government should be working to ensure decent living conditions for refugees and deserters from Turkey,” said Dr Gisela Penteker, the Commissioner for Turkey.
Title Photo: IPPNW
