The right-wing-populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) asked the German government to condemn the Turkish invasion attacks in South Kurdistan and to impose sanctions on the officials who gave the orders for the attacks.
The right-wing-populist AfD, one of the opposition parties in Germany, released a statement to be submitted to the government under the title “Defend peace and freedom - Condemn Turkey's invasion of North Iraq and North Syria.”
The two-page statement received by the ANF recalled that the Turkish state launched an invasion attack in South Kurdistan on April 18, 2022 using heavy weapons, fighter jets and helicopters.
“However, Turkey has not met the necessary conditions for this occupation according to the international laws. Neither the Iraqi government has invited Turkey to carry out an operation in its territory, nor is there an attack against Turkey in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations which stipulates the right of 'legitimate defence'. Undoubtedly, this is not Turkey's first invasion attack on the Kurdish region in northern Iraq in defiance of the international conventions,” the statement said.
'GERMAN PUBLIC OPINION AND MEDIA REMAIN SILENT TOWARDS ATTACKS'
The AfD noted that the Turkish state entered the territory of North and East Syria in 2018 and 2019, and the Scientific Service Department of the Bundestag deemed the Turkish incursions as a "violation of international laws". The party also raised concern over the new invasion threats of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
The AfD recalled that Turkey's occupation of Syria was brought onto the agenda by the UN and the EU several times previously, yet no concrete sanctions were implemented. It emphasized Turkey's expansionist policies implemented in the Middle East during Erdogan's rule.
The party remarked that the German public and mainstream media have remained silent in the face of Turkey's attacks and demanded that the Bundestag put pressure on the Federal Government of Olof Scholz to halt the Turkish occupation.
'SANCTIONS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED'
The AfD group in the Bundestag demanded the following:
“1- Turkey's attacks on northern Iraq which violate international laws should be strongly condemned.
2- Together with the European allies, sanctions should be imposed on Turkish officials who have decided and supported this attack.”
The statement of the AfD which is expected to be submitted to the Foreign Relations Committee of the Bundestag tomorrow will be discussed and voted in a session to be held with the participation of all parties after summer vacation.
It is unusual that an extreme right-wing party releases a statement against the Turkish occupation in Kurdish territories.
