International voices against the Erdogan regime’s war against the Kurds

HDP has published international voices and statements against the war of the Erdogan regime against the Kurds in Northeast Syria and Northern Iraq since November 19.

As an anti-war contribution, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Representation in Europe published international voices and statements against the war of the Erdogan regime against the Kurds in Northeast Syria and Northern Iraq since the late hours of November 19.

The Turkish airstrikes also hit the city of Kobani. In the attacks, among numerous targets, civilian infrastructure was also hit. In the statement of the the HDP Foreign Affairs Co-spokespersons Feleknas Uca and Hişyar Özsoy dated 21.11.2022, the background of this war is explained.

“We saw this screenplay. There are always military attacks and occupation by the Turkish army prior to the elections & referendums under the Erdogan regime; 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, again prior to next year’s election, Erdogan wants to keep his regime alive through war policies,” HDP says.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament:

“The Turkish air strikes we have seen in northern Syria and Iraq following the bombing in Istanbul are taking more lives and causing more bloodshed. I call on the Turkish authorities to show restraint and respect international law and standards.”

Source: Twitter

S&D Group, The Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament:

“The European Parliament President accepted our request to condemn the Turkish aggression in North-East Syria & the Kurdistan region of Iraq. It is unacceptable to violate international law. Our deepest condolences to the Kurdish and Turkish population, victims of the latest escalation.”

Source: Twitter

Özlem Alev Demirel, MEP, GUE/NGL, Vice-Chair of the Turkey Delegation:

“For two days now, the Turkish military has once again been bombing Kurdish areas in northern Syria and northern Iraq. Civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, are also targets of these attacks. The number of dead and injured increases with each attack. The bombings take place in the areas where Russia and the USA control the airspace. So both countries must have given the green light for this aggression. So it must not have been a coincidence that Erdoğan gave the order for this attack on the return flight of his Asia trip, where he met US President Biden among others.”

Source: www.oezlem-alev-demirel.de

Nacho Sánchez Amor, MEP, S&D, and the EP’s Standing Rapporteur on Turkey:

“No Turkish domestic security concern -legitimate as it might be- justifies a night air raid on a foreign city. In Ukraine we fight to defend a rules-based intl’ order, including inviolability of borders & respect for neighbors’ sovereignty. This applies to all, not just Russia”

Source: Twitter

Demetris Papadakis, MEP, S&D:

“Turkey bombs Kurdish militants and Kobani which defeated ISIS in 2014. This is how international community expresses its gratitude to the liberators of Kobani from ISIS? It should not remain silent towards such violations of international law. Act Now! #DefendKobani + @HDP_Europe”

Source: Twitter

Nikolaj Villumsen, MEP, Vice-chair GUE/NGL:

“Not only is Erdogan violating international law, killing civilians and undermining the fight against terror. He is doing it together with Putin. Now is the time to act firmly for EU. The attacks must be stopped immediately!”

Source: Twitter

GUE/EUL – Unified European Left Group – at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

“President Erdoğan and his nationalist allies are in tremendous difficulty due to economic crisis and many other structural issues plaguing the country. Mobilizing people around another attack on the Kurds in Syria may help Erdoğan to consolidate his nationalist base in the run up to the upcoming elections, and maybe even increase his votes, but these attacks are further destroying the already fragile stability in Syria and the broader region, also providing ISIS with fresh air. They are also making peace prospects in the context of the Kurdish issue in Turkey or elsewhere even more difficult to achieve by political means. The people of Kobane defeated ISIS in 2014 with the sacrifice of thousands of human lives. Many of those who died in the battle of Kobanê were women, who revolutionized their society with the motto of Jin, Jiyan, Azadi! We understand that Turkey wishes to complete the mission that ISIS failed to accomplish then. This is utterly unacceptable and should be opposed by the whole international community. We were with the people of Kobanê in 2014 and we are fully with them now. We will support them in any way we can in their struggle for the values that we also share: freedom, justice, democracy, and dignity.”

Source: https://gue-uel.org/

Heinz Bierbaum, President of the European Left (EL):

“The coordinated airstrikes by Turkish jets on multiple civilian villages in NE Syria, including Kobanê, are extremely unsafe and deserve prompt international attention. The international community should not remain silent in the face of such heinous acts, which are flagrant violations of humanitarian and international law. The Party of European Left declares its unwavering commitment to maintaining world peace and stability and exhorts all parties to take action to prevent yet another humanitarian catastrophe in the region. We strongly condemn Turkey’s aggression against Syrian Kurds and civilians and support democratic movements in Turkey and abroad.”

Source: www.european-left.org

Kurdish Solidarity Collective:

The Kurdish solidarity collective condemns Turkish bombardments of Kobane: “The Kurdish movements have explicitly denied any involvement in the Istanbul attack. It is clear the latest military onslaught is part of Erdogen’s cynical attempt to divert attention from his failed policies and the collapse of the Turkish economy. With his popularity at its lowest, Erdogan’s AKP and his MHP allies have resorted to their usual dirty tricks campaigns to falsely accuse without evidence. (…) We call upon the UN, EU and all international allies of the Kurdish people to denounce the ongoing attacks on the Kurdish people.”

Source: https://kurdishsolidaritycollective.org/

EUTCC – EU Turkey Civic Commission:

“The catastrophic political situation in Turkey and the upcoming elections in 2023 add up to this. The so-called opposition is silent on the military offensive; in its anti-Kurdish actions, it agrees with the government.

To date, silence has also been on the agenda of the international community, above all the European Union and the Council of Europe. International law does not seem to apply when it comes to Turkey – a member of NATO and the Council of Europe and a candidate for EU membership. Turkey’s war crimes must not remain without consequences. Toughest sanctions and an immediate no-fly zone are essential. The international community is now called upon to act and especially the United Nations, the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, the European Union and the United States to force their partner to comply with its legal obligations. There must be no hesitation.”

Source: http://eutcc.net/

FRANCE

The French Communist Party (PCF):

PCF released a statement denouncing the invading Turkish state’s attacks on Rojava. “The Turkish government has long been seeking to launch an attack against the Syrian Kurds before the presidential elections which seem to be challenging for the Republic of Turkey. Having brought his country to the verge of bankruptcy, Erdoğan blamed the PKK and the PYD, which condemned this terrorist act, for the heinous attack in Istanbul. Ankara had acted in a similar way when it ordered the murder of three Kurdish activists in Paris. This regime resorts to barbaric actions to achieve its criminal goals,” the statement said.

Source: PRESS

Danielle Simonnet, Members of the Constituent Assembly in France, Parti de gauche (PG):

“Emergency! Yesterday Erdogan’s Turkey bombed hospitals, schools and other civilian targets in the border area of northern Syria and northern Iraq. The UN, the anti-EI coalition, the EU and France must demand an end to Turkish military aggression against the Kurdish people!”

Source: Twitter

GERMANY

Ricarda Lang, Member of the German Bundestag, Green Party Chairperson:

Speaking to the press, she said she had the impression that the attack was being used by the Turkish president “as an excuse for the current bombardments of the Kurdish areas in Syria and northern Iraq. We cannot accept that a NATO state reacts to a terrible crime with military attacks that violate international law. These attacks “also seem to be motivated primarily by domestic politics”, said Lang.

Source: Twitter

Janine Wissler, Chairperson of DIE LINKE and Member of the German Bundestag:

“Erdogan is allowing the Kurdish areas to be bombed. Hediye Abdullah was a loud voice for Rojava and against Turkish drone attacks on the Kurdish areas. Hediye Abdullah was killed in the attacks over the weekend. The German government must not look away, but must clearly condemn these criminal attacks by NATO partner Turkey and stop arms exports.”

Source: Twitter

Frank Schwabe, Member of the German Bundestag, SPD, SPD Parliamentary Group Leader:

“Turkey must immediately cease its attacks on Kurds in Syria, which are contrary to international law. An attack, even if the authorship had been clarified, must in no case be used as a pretext for such a brutal military action.”

Source: Twitter

Gökay Akbulut, Member of the German Bundestag, Die LINKE:

“Turkey’s attacks on Kurdish positions must be stopped immediately! Turkey’s military actions are to be considered an illegal war of aggression. The Erdogan regime is repeatedly violating international law. These attacks are not in self-defence or to settle accounts for the bombing in Istanbul. This is because all the accused Kurdish organisations have independently condemned the attack and denied responsibility. Rather, it looks like the Turkish government is using the attack as a welcome opportunity to legitimise and expand its attacks against Kurdish positions in northern Syria and northern Iraq. (…)

Source: www.goekay-akbulut.de

Sevim Dagdelen, MP, DIE LINKE:

Erdogan’s war of aggression against Kurds in Syria, who helped defeat IS, needs a clear edge in response instead of cooperation with the AKP-MHP regime. During her visit to Turkey, Federal Minister of the Interior Faeser must clearly press for an end to the NATO partner’s attacks, which violate international law.

Source: Twitter

NORWAY

The Red Party in Norway:

“The Norwegian government follow the parliamentary majority and take active measures to stop Turkey’s war of aggression. The government must condemn the Turkish invasion, raise the matter in the UN Security Council, and confront the Erdogan regime at the NATO meeting in Romania next week. Norway can help stop the Turkish war of aggression before even more civilians are killed and more are affected by ethnic cleansing. If we remain silent when our NATO ally breaks the UN’s ban on war of aggression, both international law and Norway’s credibility as a defender of international law are undermined.”

Source: Press

SPAIN/BASQUE COUNTRY/CATALONIA

PODEMOS:

Excerpts from the long statement: “The destabilising potential of the Turkish military campaign is enormous and could have very serious consequences for the Kurdish people and for the peoples of Europe. We therefore call on the international community, including the EU and its Member States, to denounce these events and to take the necessary political and diplomatic measures to ensure the cessation of the operation by Turkey, as well as an independent investigation of the facts and accountability for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The EU and Member States must prioritise in their relations with Turkey, as in all their foreign policy, the defence of peace, democracy and human rights.”

Source: https://podemos.info/

Eulàlia Reguant Cura, Member of the Parliament of Catalonia, CUP:

“Turkey uses the resort of violence against the Kurds before an election: in 2015 after the AKP lost its majority and before the repeat election, in 2017 before the presidential referendum, in 2018 before the presidential, in 2019 before the municipal…”

Source: Twitter

Ima Garrastatxu, the mayor of Durango and Julián Ríos, the deputy mayor of Durango:

The Basque municipality of Durango twinned with Kobane in 2017. Since then, there has been an intense and meaningful exchange between the two cities. On 21 Nov., the mayor of Durango, Ima Garrastatxu, and the deputy mayor, Julián Ríos, met online with Rewsan Khalil Abdi, co-mayor of Kobane and Roisin Mahmud, responsible for all the municipalities of the canton of Kobane, to convey the solidarity of the Durango people in the face of the Turkish attacks.

Source: Youtube

SWITZERLAND

Fabian Molina, National Councillor SP Switzerland:

“President Erdogan has wrecked Turkey economically. Now he is trying to deflect. The criminal attacks on Rojava and other Kurdish areas must have consequences. Freedom and the international legal order must be protected – always!”

Source: Twitter

Andreas Schieder, MEP, SPÖ Head of Delegation in the European Parliament S&D:

“So sad and dangerous: Tonight Turkish attacks started, not only on Kobanê, but also in other cities in Rojava and Iraq. This Turkish bombing of the “safe” areas of northern Syria threatens the whole region. We call for an immediate stop of this hostilities.”

Source: Twitter

Françoiş Alfonsi, MEP, Greens/European Free Alliance:

"Turkey bombs Kobanî in Syrian Kurdistan in “retaliation” for the Istanbul bombing without any credible information to establish Kurdish responsibility. In fact, it was a set-up to justify the invasion of Syrian Kurdistan and Northern Iraq with the use of chemical weapons."

Source: Twitter

Nikolaj Villumsen, MEP, Vice-chair GUE/NGL:

“Right now, the Turkish military is bombing Kurdish areas in Syria. #Erdogan must not get away with this blatant violation of international law that will weaken the fight against IS and terrorism. Denmark, NATO and the EU must speak out! #SaveKobane #TurkeyAttacksRojava #dkpol #eudk”

Source: Twitter

Martin Schirdewan, MEP, Co-President GUE/NGL:

“Turkey has bombed Rojava massively tonight. Erdoğan is attacking those who are fighting ISIS. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wants to talk about “terrorism” in Ankara tomorrow. This visit must be cancelled! There is also a limit to hypocrisy.”

Source: Twitter

Sergey Lagodinsky, MEP, Greens/EFA, Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee:

“I am extremely worried about this development. As I recently said during the hearing in the European Parliament, no security concerns justify human rights and international law violations. I hope for restraint and adherence to international law.”

Source: Twitter

Ana Miranda, MEP, Greens/EFA Group:

“If the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS is against this illegal war, then its members must immediately take strong steps through economic, political, diplomatic, and legal measures to force Turkey to comply with international law.”

Source: Twitter

Miguel Urbán Crespo, MEP, GUE/NGL

“Turkey bombs again Kobane under unfounded accusations. We denounce Erdogan’s state terrorism against Kurdistan. The EU must stop being complicit in Turkey’s repression against the Kurdish people and the other peoples of northern and eastern Syria!”

Source: Twitter

Katrin Langensiepen, MEP, Greens/EFA:

“I was in the Rojava region about 14 days ago. The local people are living in poverty, but they are also trying to build democratic structures. The development and stabilisation of the region is being destroyed by such attacks by Turkey.”

Source: Twitter

Massimiliano Smeriglio, MEP, S&D:

“Right now the Turkish army is bombing Kobane in Syrian Kurdistan. Let’s stop a new massacre. In all international fora we call on Erdogan to stop now.”

Source: Twitter

European Free Alliance (EFA):

“EFA strongly condemns Turkey’s continued attacks against Kurdistan including the latest attacks on Kobani. These attacks in North East Syria threaten stability across the entire region and weakens the fight against ISIS. Europe must act.”

Source: Twitter

AUSTRIA

Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic, MP, Greens, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs:

"Massive attacks by Turkish air force on city centre of Kobane & some already thought President Erdogan is a peacemaker lately. We can’t let Turkey get away with this, it’s not a fight against terror, it’s Kurds."

Source: Twitter

FRANCE

Pierre Laurent, Senator of Paris, Vice-President of the Senate, President of the National Council of the PCF:

Last night, #Erdogan bombed several civilian infrastructures in northern Syria #Rojava and in #KurdistanIraq. The international community must condemn these acts of violence and demand that #Turkey stop them as soon as possible! #KurdistanUnderAttack

Source: Twitter

Laurence Cohen, member of the French Senate since 2011 for PCF:

“Turkish army attack against Kurds in Rojava, in Kobane. Our Kurdish friends have been and are a bulwark against obscurantism. They are at the origin of the slogan taken up by the Iranian people #WomenLifeFreedom. Let’s condemn this new offensive @RTErdogan”

Source: Twitter

Laurence Patrice, Deputy Mayor of Paris:

“Full support to our Kurdish friends who are again targeted by Turkish attacks in Rojava. The international community must react urgently!”

Source: Twitter

GERMANY

Max Lucks, MP, Greens Group Turkey Policy Spokesperson:

“There is no justification for breaches of international law. That is why there is no justification for Turkey’s new bombardments in Syria and Iraq. The destabilisation of an entire region by a NATO partner is completely unacceptable.”

Source: Twitter

Dietmar Bartsch, MP, Die Linke., Chairman of the Left parliamentary group:

“While the world looks at Qatar, NATO partner Turkey bombs Rojava. Shameless! The German government must take a clear stand immediately! #istandwithrojava”

Source: Twitter

Ulrich Lechte, MP, Foreign Affairs Spokesman of the FDP parliamentary group:

“#Erdogan attacks Kurdish areas in   &   in violation of international law, at the same time   marches into the Kurdish city of #Mahabad. In both cases, high numbers of civilian casualties are to be expected. I condemn this indiscreet action: We must finally look and act.”

Source: Twitter

Berîvan Aymaz, Greens, Member of the NRW Federal State Parliament, Vice-President of the NRW Federal State Parliament:

“Clear words also from FDP against the violence in Iran and from Turkey against Kurds. Dear SPD do you have another statement? Will the interior minister’s Nancy Faeser meeting with her Turkish counterpart take place despite these devastating developments?”

Source: Twitter

Bodo Ramelow, Prime Minister of the Free State of Thuringia:

“NATO partner Turkey is attacking two states militarily and the NATO countries are deafeningly silent. Iran, Iraq, Syria – Kurdish people are obviously fair game. The international community is silent. I find this outrageous.”

Source: Twitter

Jürgen Trittin, MP, Greens:

“Election campaign against with attacks on other countries against international law – autocrats like #Erdogan and #putin following the same recipe. #Kurdistan”

Source: Twitter

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, MP, FDP, Chair of the Defence Committee in the Bundestag:

“It is unbearable that Turkey is currently attacking the Kurdish autonomous regions again in an uncontrolled manner, without justification and without any evidence. This is inhumane and unacceptable. We cannot let a NATO partner show us up like this.

Source: Twitter

Bernd Riexinger, MP, DIE LINKE., 2012 to 2021 Party Chair:

“Turkey carried out massive bombardments against Kurds in #Rojava in northern Syria last night. I condemn these attacks, which violate international law, in the strongest possible terms. The German government must not remain silent.”

Source: Twitter

Cem Özdemir, MP, Greens, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture:

“The bombing in Istanbul must be investigated independently. Erdogan’s bombs on Kurds who successfully fought IS terrorists are meant to distract from the economic disaster in Turkey.”

Source: Twitter

Berîvan Aymaz, Greens, Member of the NRW Federal State Parliament, Vice-President of the NRW Federal State Parliament:

“Hello world public, currently the people who brought the feminist call for freedom #JinJiyanAzadi into the world will defy autocrats, v. #Iran & der #Türkei attacked simultaneously, with a green light from Russia. Solidarity with the Kurdish people!”

Source: Twitter

Die LINKE., meeting of representatives of all regional associations:

“Unanimous decision of the federal committee Die Linke, meeting of representatives of all regional associations with the heading “Solidarity with the Kurds under attack!

Source: Twitter

GREEN YOUTH (GRÜNE JUGEND):

“Today is a black day: We strongly condemn the attacks of the Islamist Iranian regime on the people of Mahabad and the attacks of Turkey on the Kurds in Rojava! BIJÎ BERXWEDANA KURDISTANÊ!”

Source: Twitter

Medico International, aid organisation:

“Turkey is bombing the north-east of Syria, including the town centre of Kobane, the town that stands more than any other for the liberation of the region from Islamic State – liberated by the very people who are now being bombed by Turkey. Despicable!”

Source: Twitter

ITALY

Amedeo Ciaccheri, President of Rome Municipality VIII.:

“Turkish bombs against Kobane. Erdogan besieges the capital of global resistance to ISIS fundamentalism. There is a criminal operation going on in Rojava and if it doesn’t stop, we will pay dearly. European diplomacy is needed. #TurkeyAttacksRojava #DefendKobani #defendRojava”

Source: Twitter

Nicola Fratoianni, National Secretary of Sinistra Italiana:

“A violent aggression in the silence of the international community that pretends not to see the atrocities of #Erdogan. Italy, the EU and the US must have a jolt of dignity, with the same attention with which they are following Putin’s aggression against Ukraine”

Source: Twitter

Maurizio Acerbo, national secretary of Rifondazione Comunista – European Left:

“We call on the Italian government and the European Union to condemn the Turkish aggression and demand the immediate cessation of the Turkish attacks. (…) NATO’s second army unleashed a bombing and military offensive against the city which pushed back Isis and Rojava’s Autonomous Administration. The bombings hit the civilian population, schools, hospitals. Eleven thousand Kurdish fighters fell to stop Isis and Al Qaeda who had the support of Turkey and Qatar. Now Erdogan is using the massacre in Istanbul, probably the work of the Turkish secret services themselves, as a justification for bombing the free territories of Rojava and erasing an experience of self-government and coexistence among peoples which is an example for the peoples of the whole area.”

Source: http://www.rifondazione.it

Giuliano Granato, spokesman for Potere al Popolo:

“Turkey is bombing Kobane, a city symbolic of the fight against ISIS. This is how Erdogan starts his election campaign, killing and destroying. And our governments keep quiet. After all, Turkey is a NATO country and blocks migrants, who cares about the Kurds.”

Source: Twitter

Giorgio Marasà, Head of Foreign Affairs Sinistra Italiana (Italian Left):

“Kobane, the symbolic city of the ISIS fight, is under attack along with the cities of Rojava. This too is war and once again the victim is the Kurdish people. The aggressor is Erdogan’s Turkey. Any silence and any underestimation is complicit, unacceptable and shameful.”

Source: Twitter

Sinistra Civica Ecologista Roma (Ecologist Civic Left Rome):

"Today the Turkish army dropped bombs on Kobani in Syrian Kurdistan. No more bombs! Always on the side of the Kurdish people our brothers, our sisters."

Source: Twitter

Zerocalcare (stage name of Michele Rech), Cartoonist:

“As expected, the attack on Kobane and various cities in Rojava started tonight (in the next few days I may retweet a little more than usual)”

Source: Twitter

SPAIN/BASQUE COUNTRY/CATALONIA

Lorena López de Lacalle, President of the European Free Alliance (EFA):

“@EFAparty is with @HDP_Europe & the Kurdish people in our common unrelentless commitment to Peace and Justice. We firmly condemn Erdogan’s regime and its military attacks in third countries, occupation, imprisonment, torture, assassinations.”

Source: Twitter

Gorka Elejabarrieta Diaz, Basque Senator in Madrid, Director of International Relations Department EH Bildu:

“We firmly reject the new attacks launched by Turkey against Rojava and North Iraq. Turkey is once again targeting the Kurdish people and in particular the city of Kobane, which defeated the Islamic State in 2015. These attacks are in violation of international and humanitarian law and we therefore ask Turkey to stop targeting civilians. The international community and, in particular, the European Union as well as the Spanish state, should firmly condemn these attacks. Tomorrow, Monday, we will bring the issue to the Senate. Likewise, EH Bildu will organize initiatives to denounce the attacks in the institutions of the Basque Country.”

Source: Twitter and Press

Antón Gómez-Reino, Vice-president of Foreign Affairs Committee in Spanish Congress, PODEMOS

“The new aggression suffered by the Kurdish people and in particular the city and region of Kobane and Rojava at the hands of Turkey is absolutely unacceptable. From the Congress and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish government we are following with worry and also indignation the bombing carried out by Turkey. Bombings that violate international laws and therefore should be firmly condemned by the international community and in particular the European Union as well as the Spanish state. Tomorrow, Monday, we will present initiatives so that the Congress clearly condemn the new aggression carried out by the regime of President Erdogan and the Turkish state against the Kurdish people and, ultimately, against human rights and international law.”

Source: Twitter and Press

Eulàlia Reguant Cura, Member of the Parliament of Catalonia, CUP:

“At midnight on November 20, Turkish warplanes began bombing hospitals, schools and other civilian targets in and around Kobanê . Turkish warplanes have also attacked wheat storage in nearby regions. Once again, the Turkish state is launching an offensive against the Kurds to distract attention from the problems of two decades of uncontrolled regime by Erdogan and the AKP. Turkey is the second power of NATO, therefore, it acts with the connivance of the international community. The Kurdish movement makes a call to mobilize and denounce once again Erdogan’s violence against the Kurdish people and specifically, against the Rojava revolution, and the administration of North and East Syria. Today more than ever with the Kurdish people. #TurkeyAttacksRojava + #NoFlyZone4Rojava”

Source: Twitter

Eva Miguel Gascón, Tarragona City Council of the CUP:

“Erdogan bombs Kobani thus starting what will be an electoral campaign stained with Kurdish blood. Maximum solidarity!”

Source: Twitter

SWEDEN

Håkan Svenneling, MP, Left Party, Spokesperson for foreign affairs:

“Turkey is now attacking Kobane and other Kurdish-dominated cities in northeastern Syria and Sinjar in northern Iraq. A clear violation of international law and the sovereignty of neighboring countries, a violation that puts millions of peoples homes at risk. (…) Sweden has now clearly ended up on the wrong side of history. Instead of praising and supporting those who fight for democracy and people’s freedom, we now militarily support the aggressor Turkey with weapons. When the Swedish government lets them down, they end up groveling for Erdoğan. They betray those who protected us and adapt Swedish foreign policy to try and satisfy an authoritarian despot. (…) Through the Swedish government’s actions and renunciation they are legitimizing Erdoğan’s attacks. He now knows he can push the Swedish government around in ways he otherwise couldn’t have. It’s not a question of symbolism – it’s about human lives.”

Source: Press

Daniel Riazat, Member of the Swedish Parliament. Vänsterpartiet (Left Party) Daniel Riazat:

“The YPG liberated Kobanê after a long and painful struggle against IS/Daesh. There, a new feminist and intercultural people’s government was launched. Now Turkey has launched heavy aerial bombardments of Kobanê against the YPG. This is so incredibly disgusting!”

Source: Twitter

Håkan Svenneling, MP, Left Party, Spokesperson for foreign affairs:

“Erdoğan logic: Create an external enemy to fool the people that he will lead Turkey despite its flawed governance.”

Source: Twitter

SWITZERLAND

Cédric Wermuth, National Councillor, Co-President of the SP Switzerland:

“The attack of the NATO state Turkey against the Kurds is despicable and must be condemned without any ifs and buts. We expect a clear reaction from all governments of the EU, NATO and Switzerland. For freedom and democracy always, but please be consistent! #Kurdistan”

Source: Twitter

USA

Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator for Maryland:

“Here we go again. Erdogan has been saying for months that Turkey would attack our Syrian Kurdish allies who led the fight against ISIS (see below). No one should be fooled now that he is doing so. Biden Admin should speak out forcefully.”

Source: Twitter