Posted on 2019-10-11 | 02:30

Dear The Rt Hon Raab,

Re: End the Turkish Invasion of Northern Syria

We are writing on behalf of our constituents and the Kurdish community who have contacted our offices about the Turkish invasion of Northern Syria. It is a sad day to see our Kurdish allies being assaulted by the Turkish military on the orders of President Erdogan. We believe the United States has made the wrong decision to withdraw military support from Northern Syria.

The Kurdish led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have played the leading role on the ground and have lost over 11,000 men and women in the fight against ISIS. They led this fight willingly and help to bring about a degree of peace and stability in this war-torn region.

Out of the chaos that has consumed Syria for almost ten years, Kurdish forces in North Eastern Syria have not only liberated millions from extremism and tyranny but have in its place established a system of democratic governance, one which is remarkable for its commitment to women’s participation at every level.

In recent days the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Inherent Resolve, compelled the SDF to demolish defensive fortifications along the Turkish-Syrian border. This action was conducted on the
understanding that it would address Turkish security concerns and that US efforts would continue to guarantee the safety of the people of North Eastern Syria from potential Turkish military action. To follow this with the immediate withdrawal of US forces, albeit giving American consent for a Turkish invasion, is nothing other than a gross act of betrayal.

Turkey’s 2018 invasion of the Kurdish enclave of Afrinshows us precisely what President Erdogan has planned for the North East; ethnic cleansing, extensive bombing of civilian areas, the use of proxy
forces including former ISIS fighters and other extremists, and the destruction of any form of democratic governance. We cannot allow this to happen. 

The SDF currently hold tens of thousands of former ISIS fighters and activists in detention. The Turkish invasion represents a clear and significant risk of an ISIS resurgence, fuelled by the escape of many of those previously captured to join the cells still operating across the region. Former US officials familiar with the security situation in Northern Syria have explained this threat at length. The decision should be reversed immediately, and appropriate action taken against Turkey to prevent further loss of life and destabilisation in the region.

We believe the actions of the United States to withdraw military forces from the area after reaching an agreement with Turkey is an act of betrayal and leaves the one region of Syria that is under stable
democratic control open to destruction and ethnic cleansing at the hands of Turkish forces, as well as leading to a resurgence of Daesh in the region.

We urge you to intervene and to outline the steps being taken by the UK Government to halt this assault, and what diplomatic measures are being taken with both the United States and Turkey to reverse their current policies which are causing the destabilisation of the region.

It is our hope as MPs to see an end to violence in Syria. Attacks on the Kurdish population will not assist in achieving peace in Syria. Our constituents ask that you use the UK’s seat on the UN Security
Council and international influence to make it clear, in the strongest terms, to your Turkish counterparts that this aggression is unacceptable and must be halted.