European states, Turkey are complicit in crimes against humanity in Syria: YPJ spokesperson

AFRIN, Syrian Kurdistan (Kurdistan 24) – A Syrian Kurdish senior commander on Friday said European states, along with Turkey, bear the responsibility of crimes committed against humanity in Syria’s predominantly Kurdish region of Afrin.

In an exclusive interview with Kurdistan 24, Nisreen Abdalla, spokesperson for the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), denied Turkish claims that Syria’s Kurdish-run region poses a threat to Turkey’s security.

"If the Turkish state claims that Afrin is a threat to its national security, it should prove that its borders with the protection units [YPG or YPJ] have witnessed any violations,” she said.

Abdalla further pointed out that Turkey is seeking to occupy all of Syria, not only Afrin.

"Turkey is seeking to occupy the entire Syrian territory, and its ambitions do not stop with the occupation of Afrin," she said.

Abdalla further added, “Daesh and al-Qaeda are fighting the Kurds in Afrin, and this proves that Turkey is involved in supporting terrorism."

"Turkey committed war crimes and massacres in Afrin, and the Turkish state is lying when it claims that it notified the European countries of the attack on Afrin,” she said.

"This would mean Europe is also involved in these crimes and these countries should make their stance toward this claim clear," she said.

On how to put an end to the Turkish attacks, Abdalla said, "We are confident that international pressure would stop the war on Afrin."

Abdullah said she had held a series of meetings with Swedish officials, pointing out that she had received positive feedback while revealing a potential meeting with Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wahlstrom.

Wallstrom announced on Tuesday the cancellation of a two-week visit to Ankara, as well as the suspension of diplomatic work between the two countries.

This announcement comes in the wake of the Turkish attacks on Afrin.

The Swedish parliament discussed the Turkish military assault on Afrin, while deputies demanded the withdrawal of the Swedish ambassador from Ankara in protest against the incursion.

The Turkish military operation, which began on Jan. 20, continues on Afrin and has so far killed 148 and injured 365 civilians, mostly women and children.

Editing by Nadia Riva