East Kurdistan National Center Appeals for International Support for West Kurdistan

The East Kurdistan National Center (NNR) has formally addressed a letter to the President of the United States, the European Commission, the British Foreign Ministry, and the Israeli Foreign Ministry, advocating for the support and protection of the West Kurdistan Region.

In this letter, the NNR calls for practical measures and international cooperation to ensure the safety and stability of West Kurdistan:

APPEAL TO URGENT ACTION

 
12.12.2024

To the President of the United States of America,
To the European Union and the International Community,

To whom it may concerns,

We, the undersigned, respectfully address you with an urgent appeal for immediate action to support the Kurdish people, particularly in the regions of Rojava (West Kurdistan, Syria). It is crucial to recognize the ongoing and systematic oppression faced by the Kurdish nation, which has endured decades of unjust division and persecution.

Since the conclusion of World War I, the Kurdish people have been victims of an unfair and undemocratic partition, with a population of over fifty million people divided among four dictatorial states. These states have persistently violated human rights, subjected Kurds to massacres, and even engaged in acts of genocide on multiple occasions. Notable examples include the Dersim Genocide committed by Turkey, the Anfal Campaign and Halabja Massacre carried out by Saddam Hussein, and the ongoing persecution by the Assad regime. These atrocities, among many others, highlight the urgent need for the international community to stand in solidarity with the Kurdish people.

In the last fifteen years, the Kurdish forces in West Kurdistan have made significant contributions to the stability and security of the region, including key efforts in the fight against terrorism. Under the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), these Kurdish forces played a central role in dismantling ISIS, one of the world's largest and most dangerous terrorist organizations. Their efforts directly contributed to reducing the threat of terrorism in Europe, the United States, and beyond, as well as rescuing Yazidi Kurds from ISIS captivity.

However, recent developments have placed the Kurdish population in West Kurdistan under grave threat. On December 8, 2024, Islamist forces, allegedly backed by major global powers, overthrew the Assad regime. These forces, some of which have a history of terrorist affiliations and have been supported by Turkey in their efforts to cleanse Kurdish populations, now engage in violent actions against Kurdish areas. These attacks, including airstrikes by Turkish forces, have resulted in the martyrdom of hundreds of Kurdish civilians.

We, the Kurdish people, who have consistently stood as allies to the democratic values of Europe and the United States, are deeply concerned about the escalating situation. We ask for your support to protect the Kurdish people in the West and ensure their survival, dignity, and rights. Therefore, we respectfully call upon the international community to take the following actions:

1. Designate areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as protected zones and enforce a no-fly zone to prevent further airstrikes.
2. Take immediate steps to prevent Turkey and its proxies from attacking Kurdish-held territories.
3. Ensure that the Kurdish people are included in the future political process of Syria, with a genuine role in shaping the country's future governance and securing their rights.

This is not only a humanitarian issue, but a matter of upholding the values of democracy, human rights, and peace. We urge you to take swift and decisive action to prevent further suffering and protect the Kurdish people from genocide.

Sincerely,

East Kurdistan National Centre