Destruction of Western Kurdistan by absolutely EVERYONE

[Anthea]

President Barzani:
An Historic Opportunity for Syrian Kurds to Unite

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a historic message delivered during the Kurdish Unity and Solidarity Conference in Qamishlo on Saturday, President Masoud Barzani emphasized that a rare and significant opportunity now stands before the Kurds in Syria to achieve unity and secure their national rights through peaceful and democratic means

President Barzani’s Message: A Defining Moment for Kurdish Aspirations

The President’s envoy, Dr. Hamid Darbandi, read President Barzani’s message to the conference participants, describing the gathering as a historic milestone in the Kurdish struggle and a pivotal platform for resolving the Kurdish question within the framework of a united, free, and democratic Syria.

"Today, amidst the sweeping transformations unfolding in Syria and the broader region, a profound opportunity has emerged for our people," President Barzani said. He stressed that this moment carries immense historical responsibility, calling on Kurdish leaders and parties to overcome current obstacles and to present a unified project that reflects the legitimate aspirations of the Kurdish people.

President Barzani underlined that the Kurdish people in Syria have endured decades of marginalization, denial, and injustice. However, he emphasized that the swift changes taking place offer a chance that must not be squandered.

The Strategic Path: Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution

In his message, President Barzani reaffirmed that democracy and peaceful struggle are essential strategies for achieving Kurdish rights. "A peaceful and diplomatic solution always yields better results than violent conflict," he declared, warning against the catastrophic consequences of war, division, and extremism witnessed across the region.

He advocated for the establishment of a unified Kurdish delegation to engage in dialogue with the future government in Damascus, describing it as a vital step toward genuine participation in rebuilding Syria and safeguarding Kurdish rights within the country’s new political architecture.

"We believe in building a new, democratic, and inclusive Syria where the rights of all ethnic and religious communities are secured," President Barzani stated, calling for a constitution that enshrines civil, political, and economic rights for all Syrian citizens.

The Call for Kurdish Unity: A Foundational Pillar

President Barzani reiterated that Kurdish unity and the establishment of a common political foundation are the cornerstone of any sustainable and just solution to the Kurdish issue in Syria. "Only through unity and collective action can we ensure a dignified future for our people," he emphasized.

He praised the efforts of Mazloum Abdi, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander, and the various Kurdish parties and organizations that contributed to organizing the conference, urging them to continue fostering understanding, collaboration, and national solidarity.

"The goal must be to transcend political divisions and personal interests, in favor of advancing the collective national interest of the Kurdish people," President Barzani stated.

Building a Democratic and Just Syria

President Barzani expressed unwavering support for the creation of a democratic Syria based on coexistence, human rights, and mutual respect among all components of Syrian society. He emphasized the need for a future Syria free from dictatorship, oppression, and extremism, stressing the Kurdish commitment to democracy, equality, and civil rights.

He also warned against the repercussions of violence and sectarianism, which have devastated Syria’s social fabric and displaced millions, calling instead for the promotion of tolerance, forgiveness, and national reconciliation.

A Vision of Hope

President Barzani concluded his message by encouraging the Kurdish parties and participants at the conference to seize this opportunity with responsibility and patriotism, dedicating their efforts toward building a better and more prosperous future for all Kurds and Syrians.

"I reiterate my full support for every sincere effort aimed at strengthening Kurdish unity and working collectively for a peaceful, dignified, and honorable future for our people," he affirmed

The Kurdish Unity and Solidarity Conference in Qamishlo, held under the patronage of President Barzani and with the participation of around 50 Kurdish political parties and nearly 400 dignitaries, is widely viewed as a landmark event in the modern history of the Kurdish national movement in western Kurdistan.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... s-to-unite

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Strategy of Kurds in the Western Kurdistan
By Mehdî Kakeyî

Considering the cultural, intellectual, economic, social, and civil backwardness of the occupied peoples of Kurdistan, we realize the impossibility of coexistence among the components of these peoples within the framework of one political system. The communities of the backward countries cannot be coexistence between backward communities such as the communities of the occupied countries of Kurdistan, which remains the dominant tribal, sectional or semi-sectional system religion continue to play a major role in the lives of these peoples, including political life and age of legislation and laws.

We are living in the 21st century, the century of information and communication revolution, while tribal customs and traditions still prevail in these communities in general as well as national, religious and religious bigotry that controls the relations between various ethnic, religious and religious components of these communities.

We must therefore understand that cooperation cannot prevail among components of backward communities with different identities, goals, interests, and cultures that have been directed to coexistence within the confines of artificial political entities.

Therefore, the people of Kurdistan should understand that accepting the occupation of Kurdistan and believing that the common coexistence of the people of Kurdstan with the occupied peoples of Kurdistan within the artificial political entities of those occupied peoples, is a false belief that is based on illusion and far from reality.

The people of Kurdistan should wake up from their slumber, arrange their homes, unite, organize their rows and fight for their freedom and Independence of Kurdistan, because the population of the Kurdish people is over 80 million breaths and it is eligible to become the strongest people in the Middle East region in all fields and Kurdistan is eligible to be the most powerful country A landmark, influence and progress in the region.

Regarding the Western Kurdistan, the rulers of Syria are a group of dark Islamic terrorists and therefore it is impossible to build a democratic system in Syria under the rule of these or other Syrians who are saturated with national bigotry.

Through these facts, it is impossible for the Kurds in Syria to enjoy their rights. Therefore the Kurdistanis in the Western Kurdistan have to draw an integrated strategy for the struggle in two fronts, the external and internal fronts as follows:

1. Foreign Front: The slogan of the federalism should be raised as a tactical, not a strategic goal, and at the same time alliance and coordination with both Israel, France and the United States of America to establish the State of Kurdistan in the foreseeable future, as the Middle East region is going through the phase of redrawing its political map and this change will be in favor of the people of Kurdistan, with the establishment of the State of Kurdstan.

It is the only guarantee for the protection of the interests of Western countries and brought forward by the interests of America and France in the Middle East region.

2. THE INNER FRONT:

The Western Kurdistan Region is going through the stage of national liberation, therefore it does not need political parties, but it needs to establish an inclusive organization that embraces the Kurdistan people there, which should manage the region and organize the Kurds throughout Syria.

After the establishment of the State of Kurdistan, political parties competing among them can be established to receive power to serve the people by establishing a democratic political system, under which power is traded by holding free elections.

BKurds make up the majority of the population of Syria, where for example, the Kurds in Hama Governorate are 70% of the governorate's population and about 70 thousand Kurdish citizens live in Homs and there is a large proportion of Kurds in both Aleppo, Damascus and many other regions of Syria.

Therefore, organizational work should not be limited to the Western Kurdistan, but starting from now on by organizing millions of Kurds who are outside the Western Kurdistan and by organizing them, the Kurds become the dominant party in Syria and they can take control over it, as Syria is historically a part of Kurdistan.

CThe government of the West Kurdistan Region should alliance with both the Druz and the Arawis (Upper), as the believers of both religions are Kurdish, and their religion is part of the Kurdish Yazdani religion. Religious people are also a minority in Syria now ruled by Sunni Islamic gangs.

Therefore, Aryis and Druz are natural allies of the people of Kurdistan and an alliance must be established with them to guarantee the rule of the Kurds over Syria and the Aryis, Druz and all ethnic, religious and religious components of Syria enjoy their rights.

[Anthea]

The Economic Committee in Afrin
Bureaucracy or a Tool to Legitimize Looting?

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The city of Afrin, located in Northwest Syria (Western Kurdistan), has witnessed significant security and military transformations since its occupation by Ankara-backed "National Army" factions. These factions later officially joined what is known as the Syrian Army, affiliated with the transitional government

This occupation was accompanied by a wide wave of forced displacement of thousands of indigenous people, civilian casualties, and serious violations of the basic rights of the population, including killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, and confiscation of property, amid systematic policies that have brought about a profound demographic change in the region.

The residents of Afrin had hoped that the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime would open a new page of stability and lift the injustices they suffered. However, the reality that followed was completely the opposite, as local policies intertwined with the presence of armed factions and the complexities of administrative bureaucracy, together forming a network of daily restrictions and extortion that burdens the people, even in the simplest details of their lives, including their attempts to harvest their agricultural crops.

At the heart of this scene is the Economic Committee in Afrin, a local administrative body formed after the fall of the Assad regime and the seizure of power by the General Security apparatus of the transitional government from the factions that controlled the city in 2018.

Since then, the committee has become the subject of widespread controversy among the residents and human rights organizations. It presents itself as an entity responsible for organizing economic and administrative affairs and studying requests to recover homes and lands seized by settlers, while residents accuse it of being a tool for control and appropriation of the property of displaced Kurds.

In an official effort to reclaim lands and homes, the Afrin region administration issued a statement specifying the conditions that returning Kurdish displaced persons must meet to recover their properties.

The statement read:

"In the interest of the public and to ensure the rights of our fellow citizens, properties will be handed over immediately through the General Economic Office in Afrin or the branch offices in the sub-districts, according to the following conditions:

The real estate registration statement must be recent, not exceeding three months.

A copy of the personal ID of the citizen claiming the property.

In the event of the owner's death, a recent death certificate and family statement must be presented, with a certified authorization from the village's mukhtar and the fingerprints of two witnesses, or a valid official power of attorney from all heirs."

Although the conditions seem simple on paper, their application on the ground tells a different story.

Many accuse the committee of being used as a cover for the seizure of the property of displaced Kurds who fled after the occupation of Afrin in 2018.

This is done by imposing complex bureaucratic procedures and requiring official documents that are difficult to obtain after years of displacement.

Activists assert that these measures are sometimes used as a means of pressure or restriction on the original inhabitants, as they are required to prove their official ownership of the land, and if they are unable to do so, half of their crops are confiscated for the benefit of the committee.

Kurdistan24 followed up and confirmed that this policy is indeed in effect, as journalist by the name Salih al-Faris, known as "Abu Sham," appeared in a video recording saying:

Of course, it's not as rumored that the Economic Committee takes half the harvest; this is only for unofficial powers of attorney. Anyone who brings an official power of attorney will receive their full harvest. Therefore, you must prepare your official papers."

This means that anyone who cannot provide official documents will have half of their land taken.

According to Kurdistan24 sources, the majority of the lands in Afrin are inherited and were not registered in the names of the heirs due to the war in Syria.

For its part, the local administration justifies that the committee aims to "organize the economy, ensure transparency, and prevent conflicts." However, human rights organizations believe that its role has gone beyond the administrative framework to become a tool for establishing a new reality in Afrin, by changing ownership patterns and redistributing agricultural resources at the expense of the indigenous population.

Testimonies from the Field: Stories of Daily Suffering

In an interview with Kurdistan24, Ahmed Hassan, Head of the Kurdish National Council in Afrin, said:

"The situation in Afrin is still under the control of the remnants of the factions. The Economic Committee is subject to the influence of those factions, and it imposes taxes and royalties on the population and takes half of the olive season. It also requests impossible papers to prove ownership, and people suffer from threats, especially as the harvest season approaches."

He added:

"The situation is much more difficult than in other areas like Azaz, where there is no economic committee. In Afrin, they use this committee as a tool for pressure and extortion, which makes some unable to harvest their crops, while theft increases daily."

Kurdish Syrian parliament member Mohammed Seydo said on his Facebook page:

"What is happening in Afrin is regrettable, painful, and unacceptable under any name, as farmers are being deprived of their rights and their livelihoods are threatened under flimsy pretexts that have nothing to do with justice."

The parliamentarian continued:

"This injustice cannot be tolerated, as the absence of oversight and accountability opens the door to the exploitation of farmers and the looting of their rights. True justice lies in protecting people's rights, livelihoods, and property."

Seydo affirmed:

"We will not allow the theft of people's labor, and we will not be satisfied with injustice passing without accountability, and the affected must be compensated. The efforts made are appreciated but are not sufficient, and the efforts of the state and good people should be combined to preserve civil peace and protect property."

The Kurdistan Syria Front also issued a statement confirming that the economic offices in Afrin have "turned into an alternative authority to the judiciary," saying:

"The people who returned and paid taxes to recover their lands have been deprived of the right to harvest their crops this year, and that has become conditional on the exclusive approval of the economic offices."

After Kurdistan24 English follow-up and verification, of a circulated audio recordings in which the mukhtar, a civilian administrator, of the village of Darkir in the Mobatu district of Afrin says:

"Guys, anyone who came after the fall and we gave him an approval paper must return it. A counter-order has been issued; do not harvest your land. Return the papers because they will come to take them." He continued, "I only mean the people who returned after the fall; as for the old-timers, they can harvest."

These recordings confirm that even those who possess official papers are still prevented from harvesting their crops, which reinforces what one of Kurdistan24's sources confirmed:

that the factions are exerting direct pressure on the mukhtars to prevent the people from harvesting, in a scene that reflects the chaos of authority and the overlapping of influence between the military and administrative bodies in Afrin, where the Economic Committee has turned into a tool to give formal legitimacy to the ongoing looting operations under the cover of the law.

From a legal perspective, the Kurdistan Front's statement referred to Syrian Civil Law No. 84 of 1949, which states that possession is considered a presumption of ownership unless proven otherwise in court, and that no executive or security body has the right to prevent a person from harvesting their crops except in the case of an official judicial dispute.

Article 834 also stipulates that one of the heirs has the right to manage the land and harvest its fruits for the benefit of the other heirs without the need for the consent of all of them.

Field Investigations: From Villages to Offices

In an interview with a citizen from Afrin who preferred to remain anonymous duo to Security reasons, he told Kurdistan24:

"We are living in a state of chaos. Theft has become a daily occurrence, and the Economic Committee, which is supposed to protect the people, has become a tool in the hands of the factions that have infiltrated it. Its existence is illegal in the first place, as the judiciary is the one that should resolve these issues."

Media activist Mustafa Sheikho also confirmed that "the Economic Committee only exists in Afrin and not in other Syrian regions, as even in Azaz there is no such committee," which was confirmed by Kurdistan24 correspondents in Syria.

In another testimony, a citizen who preferred to remain anonymous duo to Security reasons, told Kurdistan24:

"I went to the Economic Committee to get my land back, and I found that the official there was a former leader in the factions that occupied Afrin in 2018. He promised to allow me to work on my land, but after I spent money and prepared the land, they came back to prevent me from harvesting under the pretext of not having a power of attorney from my sick father in Aleppo. After I brought the official power of attorney, they started asking for new papers, and so far I have not received any call allowing me to harvest."

He continued:

"The situation is unfair. Whoever stayed in Afrin during the attack harvests his land without problems, but for us who returned after the displacement, they obstruct everything. The settlers are stealing our crops before our eyes, and no one stops them."

Internal Sources: Uncovering the Hidden

In an exclusive interview with a source close to the Economic Committee, who requested not to be named, told Kurdistan24:

"The committee is lost between the pressure of the people, the pressure of the factions, and the government's instructions. Even if the committee grants approval to the farmer to harvest his land, he must also obtain the approval of the mukhtar, and the factions are pressuring the mukhtars not to grant these approvals."

The source revealed that

"the Economic Committee allows the settlers who obtained land from the factions to harvest the crops, while the transactions of the original inhabitants are deliberately delayed."

The Kurdistan Front concluded its statement by placing the responsibility on the Syrian Interim Government, saying: "We hold the Syrian Interim Government fully responsible for these violations due to its silence and failure to hold the responsible parties accountable, which makes it a partner in what is happening.

We demand that the government apply the rule of law and enable the people to restore their rights through the judiciary, not through illegal economic offices, and to hold accountable anyone who refuses to hand over property or exploits it under flimsy pretexts, and to restore the lost land registry to ensure the rights of citizens."

Therefore, the Kurdistan Front of Syria demands the immediate abolition of all economic offices in the Afrin region, the cancellation of their illegal decisions, the restoration of legal powers to the courts, and the accountability of those responsible for confiscating the crops of the people and preventing them from harvesting their livelihoods.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/86 ... ze-looting

[Anthea]

No developments on Afrin dossier

DAMASCUS - The Kurdish administration in Western Kurdistan and the new government in Damascus have yet to reach a final agreement to improve the situation in Afrin, a predominantly Kurdish city in northwest Syria where Kurds continue to be deprived of cultural rights

Kurdish used to be the official language of education in Syria’s northwestern city of Afrin. However, after the Kurdish city came under the control of Turkey-backed forces in 2018, Kurdish-language education was reduced to just one hour per week. The interim government, which took power in December after ousting Bashar al-Assad’s regime, has now completely removed Kurdish from the curriculum in Afrin.

“Kurdish language was taught for an hour. Kurdish rights do not depend on this hour. But removing that hour carries a message. Also, excluding Newroz in national holidays carries a message. There have been no developments in Afrin dossier,” Fawzi Shingali, a member of Western Kurdistan’s ruling Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), told Rudaw.

Newroz, Kurdish new year, was recently excluded from Syria's national holidays. The move has taken the ire of Kurds, who make up over ten percent of the country’s population.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), military wing of the SDC, and the interim government have reached a number of agreements, but none has improved the situation in Afrin.

Sheikh Said Zade, a Kurd, was recently elected as a member of Syria’s interim parliament in an indirect election.

“After the liberation of Syria [from Assad], the education system became unified throughout Syria. The [new] curriculum from Damascus has been implemented even in what we used to call ‘liberated areas.’ Kurdish language does not exist in the state curriculum. We emphasized on this [inclusion of Kurdish], but time is needed for it to be added to the state curriculum,” he added.

Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson of the secretary-general of the United Nations, said on Tuesday that they are aware of media reports about the removal of Kurdish language from school curriculum in Syria’s Afrin city.

"The Secretary General strongly believes in the right of people everywhere in the world to speak the languages that they choose to speak and to learn all the different languages of those areas. So we want to make sure that the basic language rights of people are protected," he added.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... /231020251

[Anthea]

Our language is silenced
the identity is erased in Afrin!

Taking away a people's language is not just an education policy decision - it is an attack on their very existence

In Afrin, an historic Kurdish region of Western Kurdistan, the Turkish-backed authorities have now removed the Kurdish language from the schools' curriculum.

This is happening in an area that has been under Turkish occupation since 2018, and is another step in a systematic policy to erase Kurdish culture and identity.

The UN spokesperson expressed concern over the reports and stressed that every people have the right to speak and learn their own language.

But worrying is not enough.
The world needs to take action.

Since Turkish invasion, human rights groups documented abuse in Afrin:

- Property theft and confiscation
- Forced displacement
- Pleasant arrests
- Cultural and demographic change

Language is the heart of every people's soul.

Silencing the Kurdish language in schools is trying to blur out the identity of future generations.

This isn't just a local event - it's part of a dangerous policy that the world can't turn a blind eye to.

Defending the language is defending a people's right to exist.