CAROLINE BAZZI

Beirut- The Academy of Politics and Democratic Thought and the Development Organization held an online symposium with the motto, “"The Political, Legal and Demographic Dimensions of Settlements Built in Afrin '' via Zoom to discuss the ongoing Turkish attacks on Syria.

Dina Mohsen, the director of the Institute of Arab Research and Studies in Egypt, talked about the contradictions among the Kurds. She stated that the Russia-Ukraine crisis led to Turkey's plans to resettle one million Syrian refugees in North and East Syria. “The Turkish regime is not strong, but it derived its strength from the weakness of others,” she said.

“They want to change everything in Afrin”

Syrian political activist and researcher Ghiath Naisa said that Turkey’s aim is not only to occupy the territories of Syria but also to change the demographic structure of the region. “The Afrin region is not only Afrin; it also has 366 villages and hamlets. Afrin was the home of half a million Syrians from different nations, ethnicities and religions. Afrin was a good model in Syria. However, the Turkish occupation of Afrin in 2018 led to the displacement of half of the Kurdish population. Those who want to return Afrin face obstacles. Now, Turkey wants to resettle other people in Afrin to change everything in Afrin, including its demographic structure, culture, identity and history.”

“Turkey aims to annihilate the Kurdish people”

Kadar Beri, director of the Kurd Without Borders Foundation, said, “Turkey tried to control the Kurdish areas with support of terrorist groups. Turkey aims to annihilate the Kurdish people, not only in Syria, but also in northern Kurdistan or in the Kurdistan Region.”

“Forced displacement is a crime against humanity”

Political activist, researcher and expert on African affairs, Rami Zuhdi stated that forced displacement is a crime against humanity and that Turkey aims to eliminate the Kurdish identity.

Kharib Heso, Co-chair of the Movement for a Democratic Society, also made a speech on the role of the Arabs and the unity of the people of Afrin during the online symposium.