News Center — Amid escalating events in North and East Syria, and despite the complexity of the military and political landscape and growing local and international calls for clearer positions, European capitals continue to act with caution, limiting themselves to general statements that fall short of the challenges on the ground.

Assita Kanko, a member of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) in Belgium, confirmed that the Kurds in North and East Syria are being directly targeted, calling on Europe to adopt a clear and decisive stance regarding the situation. She stated: “The Kurdish people fought for many years on the front lines against ISIS and sacrificed thousands of lives not only to protect their own communities, but also to ensure shared security in Europe and beyond,” noting that Syrian Kurds now stand alone after having been abandoned.

She added that the Kurds were allies of Europe in confronting jihadist groups that committed grave violations against Yazidi women, emphasizing that they stood at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. She criticized what she described as Europe’s abandonment of its allies, questioning whether weakness had reached the point of turning a blind eye to their destruction.

Kanko also highlighted the prominent role played by women in this struggle, noting that many of them fought on the front lines in defense of freedom and collective security. She warned that “the gains achieved by the Kurds in North and East Syria are seriously threatened,” adding that the advance of the transitional government, its seizure of territories, and its approach aimed at undermining the Kurdish self-administration all pose serious threats to stability.

She stressed that images circulating in recent weeks have shocked global public opinion, stating: “The main issues we must focus on are the indiscriminate shelling of Kurdish neighborhoods, the enslavement of women, the execution of prisoners of war, and the opening of prisons.”

Assita Kanko warned that recent developments in North and East Syria constitute a direct threat to Europe, noting that the raising of the ISIS flag near Raqqa two weeks ago was a dangerous warning that requires immediate action. She also emphasized the continuation of violations around Kobani despite ceasefire agreements, stating that “the model of self-administration based on women’s rights and the protection of minorities is now at risk of collapse.”

She issued an appeal to Europe not to abandon the Kurds who are fighting against the “common enemies,” affirming that silence and inaction represent a betrayal of the values of freedom, human dignity, and solidarity, and place everyone at risk.

She concluded by stressing that the Kurds deserve security, recognition, and a future free from injustice, adding that the time has come for the European Union to stand by them before it is too late. She considered their survival a test of Europe’s resolve, warning that their defeat would mean the continued threat of ISIS, stating: “I will continue to support this struggle in my capacity as a Member of the European Parliament.”