Turkey’s actions in northern Syria have been the subject of significant concern by the United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. The commission has implicated Turkey in potential war crimes that occurred between January and June 2024. Torture, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and attacks on civilians have been perpetrated by Turkish forces and affiliated Syrian National Army (SNA) factions, according to the report that was presented to the Human Rights Council.
The report’s principal discoveries consist of:
Airstrikes on Civilian Infrastructure: The report pinpoints Turkish airstrikes that have caused damage to civilian infrastructure. An airstrike on the Swediyah power station on January 15 resulted in the loss of electricity for more than one million individuals, which had a significant impact on the availability of essential services such as petroleum and water. The commission concluded that these attacks were in violation of international humanitarian law, citing the absence of military targets in the vicinity.
Strikes on Civilians: In May, a new series of airstrikes in Tal Hamis resulted in the injuries of seven civilians, including children, further underscoring the hazards associated with Turkish military operations in populated areas.
Torture and Abuse in Detention: In Afrin, civilians were reportedly detained by SNA factions and subjected to inhumane treatment. A Kurdish man recounted how he was blindfolded and repeatedly assaulted during interrogation, while other detainees described being beaten with pipes and cables.
Shocking instances of sexual violence were also disclosed in the report, such as the gang-rape of a Kurdish woman by SNA members in 2022 and the sexual assault of another woman by the Sultan Murad Division in 2023. The broader pattern of maltreatment in Turkish-controlled areas is exemplified by these cases.
Property Confiscation and Extortion: According to reports, Turkish-backed factions subjected Kurdish landowners to extortionate “taxes” and confiscated their property. Under the threat of violence from the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade, a citizen in Afrin was compelled to pay more than $8,000.
The Commission has urged Turkey to conduct an investigation into these violations and to hold the perpetrators accountable. Nevertheless, the report implies that impunity continues to pose a significant impediment to justice in the region. Critics contend that Turkey’s military operations, which are justified as “national security,” have resulted in catastrophic repercussions for civilians. The report contributes to the increasing international pressure on Turkey to resolve human rights abuses in its areas of control in Syria.
