Qamishlo — The neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in the city of Aleppo witnessed a violent attack a few days ago carried out by jihadists of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children. This assault comes as part of a series of systematic attacks targeting the two neighborhoods, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and prompting widespread condemnation from civil and political forces.

Today, Wednesday, December 24, the Women’s Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) issued a statement in the city of Qamishlo, in the North and East Syria region, condemning the systematic attacks targeting the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in Aleppo.

The statement affirmed the Women’s Council’s full commitment to defending women’s rights and protecting civilians, and called on the international community as well as humanitarian and human rights organizations to take urgent action to stop these violations before the humanitarian crisis worsens. It stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable in accordance with international laws and standards and to protect civilians from ongoing threats.

The council strongly condemned the systematic attacks on the two neighborhoods and the accompanying grave violations against civilians—particularly women, children, and peaceful families—by factions affiliated with the so-called “transitional government.” It emphasized that these attacks constitute a blatant violation of humanitarian values and principles and clearly contradict the aspirations of Syrians of all components for peace, stability, and security.

The statement noted that what is happening in Sheikh Maqsoud is a continuation of policies of violence and exclusion that threaten social peace and undermine any genuine efforts to reach a peaceful solution in Syria. It also obstructs the implementation of the March 10 Agreement, reinforcing instability and deepening civilian suffering, and warned of the serious repercussions of these violations on the social fabric and human security.

The statement also condemned the killing of Fadwa Mohammad al-Kurdi as a result of the attack carried out by armed groups affiliated with the transitional government, considering it a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law. It held the responsible parties fully accountable—legally and morally—and called for their prosecution in accordance with relevant international laws and standards, and for ensuring that perpetrators do not escape punishment.

The Women’s Council of the Democratic Union Party reaffirmed its commitment to defending women’s rights and protecting civilians, rejecting all forms of violence and violations targeting peaceful communities. It called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, the lifting of the siege imposed on the area, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, in addition to taking genuine and effective measures to protect civilians.

The statement further urged humanitarian, human rights, and women’s organizations at both local and international levels to take urgent action and exert serious pressure to halt these violations, ensure civilian protection, and prevent further bloodshed. It stressed that continued international silence regarding these crimes places part of the moral and humanitarian responsibility on the international community.

The statement concluded by emphasizing that the humanitarian values and principles the international community claims—or declares its commitment—to defend are now facing a real test, amid the ongoing violations against civilians without any serious accountability or prosecution