Aleppo — The people of Afrin were displaced from their city and villages twice: first in 2018 at the hands of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries, and again in 2024, also as a result of the same forces.

On the first anniversary of the displacement of the people of Afrin and al-Shahba, Kongra Star in the Syrian city of Aleppo issued a statement today, December 1, recalling the displacement the people endured. The statement was read in the Sheikh Maqsoud (West) neighborhood of Aleppo with the participation of members of political parties, civil institutions, and communes.

The statement was read by Mais Shasho, a member of the Kongra Star coordination in Aleppo. She said: “This anniversary is not merely a date recorded in history, but an open wound in the memory of generations. It encapsulates the suffering of being uprooted twice and the loss of stability and safety.”

The statement noted that a year has passed since the displacement from the al-Shahba region, yet the people of Afrin continue to endure the pain of loss and uprooting. They carried the wound of displacement twice: first when they were forced to leave their city, Afrin, and second when they were subjected to forced displacement from al-Shahba. “This double suffering reflects the magnitude of injustice faced by our people and confirms that forced displacement is not an isolated incident but a systematic policy targeting our existence and identity. Amid harsh conditions, the people once again faced the bitterness of displacement and the loss of stability.”

The statement emphasized the need to implement the March 10 agreement, which remains ink on paper and has not yet been enforced. It stressed that “the issue of the displaced is not a local matter alone, but a matter of justice and rights for all Syrians.” It added that all attempts by the Turkish occupation to uproot the people of Afrin will fail, as they continue to raise their voices against oppression and displacement, affirming that Afrin will remain a symbol of courage and resilience, and that their heroism and sacrifices will light the path for future generations.

In conclusion, the statement called on the international community, the United Nations, and human rights organizations to assume their legal and moral responsibilities, to pressure for an end to violations, and to hold those responsible accountable. “We call on Syrian national forces to unite for the return of all displaced Syrians to their lands and to recognize that this issue is part of a broader struggle for freedom and justice.”

It is worth noting that Afrin, Tal Abyad (Girê Spî), and Ras al-Ain (Serê Kaniyê) remain occupied by the Turkish state and its mercenaries, despite the signing of the March 10 agreement, which stipulated a safe return for the displaced