SDF fears Turkish attacks in Syria could endanger over 4 million civilians

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Monday called on the international community to stop Turkish attacks in Syria that it claims could displace or endanger four million people in the northern and eastern regions of the embattled nation. 

SDF spokesperson Kino Gabriel said in a video statement that the “decision on the withdrawal of American forces from Syria, has directly affected our military operations.”

In a surprise announcement on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said he would withdraw US forces from Syria. This came following a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been threatening to attack Kurdish forces in Syria. Their talk seems to have been a major factor in Trump's decision.

“President Erdogan has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria,” Trump tweeted.

Moreover, on Sunday Trump said he had another conversation with Erdogan, posting another tweet that read, “We discussed ISIS, our mutual involvement in Syria, & the slow & highly coordinated pullout of U.S. troops from the area.”

The move was criticized by prominent political figures, including the president’s own allies, senior administration officials, and several world leaders.

The SDF has voiced its concern that the decision could put millions of civilians in harm's way.

“It will affect more than four million people with the threats made by different groups, similar what happened in Afrin,” Gabriel said.

Turkey and allied forces captured the region of Afrin on March 18 in a campaign that lasted over two months. During the operation, hundreds of civilians were killed and thousands more displaced.

Experts have subsequently warned that ethnic cleansing is now being carried out by the Turkish-backed armed groups in Afrin.

Hassan, a 28-year-old shopkeeper in the town of Kobani told Kurdistan 24 that he was worried about a possible Turkish attack.

“People are scared. Where they will go, especially this winter?” he asked. “We don’t know what will happen.”

“In Afrin, there was a Russian handover, and here is the US which is allied to Turkey,” he said. “As you have seen in Afrin, there was looting, killing and displacing people.”

Gabriel, the SDF spokesperson, continued with a call to action. “We call on the international community and international coalition to assist us and spare our people from the danger of a return to conflict.”

He concluded by saying, “We invite all involved parties back to dialogue to discuss how we all can create a positive mark in history.”

Editing by John J. Catherine