The international forum on ISIS organized by the Rojava Strategic Research Center (Navenda Rojava a Lekolinen Stratejik - NRLS), kicked off in Amude town of Qamishlo city in northern Syria this morning.

The forum is held under the title “ISIS: Dimensions, Challenges and Strategies for Confrontation” and hosts hundreds of intellectuals, journalists, politicians, lawyers and rights defenders from various countries.

The International Forum on ISIS is the second international Forum organised by NRLS, building on and expanding on the successes of the International Forum on Ethnic Cleansing and Forced Demographic Change in Afrin, held in North East Syria in December 2018. The three-day Forum was the first of its kind to be held in North East Syria, attended by David L. Phillips, Bernard Kouchner, Michael Rubin, Dr. Thomas Schmidinger, and other regional and international experts. The International Forum on ISIS will build and expand on the successes of the Afrin Forum, with many more guests travelling from overseas to join the conversation.

Following the opening speeches, victims of ISIS massacres in Syria, Iraq and throughout the world took the stage to speak. The conference continues with various seminars.

BERÎVAN XALID: TRIAL OF ISIS HERE IS OUR PRIMARY DEMAND

Speaking at the forum, North and East Syria Autonomous Administration Executive Council Co-president Berîvan Xalid recalled that ISIS presence has been brought to an end thanks to the heavy prices paid in North and East Syria. Xalid pointed out that ISIS threat continues and called for continued support for the region from the international community. Our primary demand is the trial of ISIS here, said Xalil and stressed that all forces should continue with the anti-ISIS struggle with a new strategy.

MUSLIM: ISIS SHOULD NOT GO UNPUNISHED

Euphrates Region Autonomous Administration Executive Council Co-president Enwer Müslim remarked that the struggle they have been giving is for not only the peoples of Syria but for the whole world. Emphasising that the arrested ISIS members should be tried in Syria, Muslim called for ISIS and similar structures to not go unpunished in order that they don’t haunt the peoples of the world again.

HECÎ: ISIS SHOULDN’T BE AN INTERNATIONAL MATTER OF NEGOTIATION

After the speech of Muslim, Shengal Assembly Co-president Hisen Hecî’s letter to the forum was read. Hecî stated that nobody but the North and East Syria Administration lent a helping hand to the Yazidis as they were subjected to genocide in Shengal. He said; “ISIS shouldn’t be an international matter of negotiation. Those who defeated ISIS at the cost of a heavy price should have a determinant role in the judicial phase as well.”

GARRETT: SDF HAD A GREAT ROLE IN FINISHING OFF ISIS

Former U.S. Congressman Thomas Garrett pointed out that Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was established to defend human rights and has played a major role in finishing off ISIS. Garrett noted that great efforts have been given in the fight against ISIS in North and East Syria, adding that he would write a letter to transmit these issues to their administraiton.

FRANCESCHI: ISIS THREAT REMAINS

Speaking after, French writer Patrice Franceschi remarked that the territorial defeat of ISIS does not mean the end of the organization. He continued; “SDF had an important role in defeating ISIS but ISIS threat remains. In my opnion, the anti-ISIS fight should continue in the future in new forms.”

RUBİN: TURKISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE CALLED TO ACCOUNT

Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin pointed out that; “Under Erdoğan, Turkey has built a vast informal network of organizations, both state and non-governmental, which are willing to engage with, support, and supply the most radical Islamist terrorist groups and extremists.”

Rubin called attention to Turkey’s “constant ties to ISIS” and added; “In this regard, ISIS shouldn’t be treated as a sole organization. The Turkish government should also be called to account as ISIS constitutes a great threat for the people of Turkey too.”

D'ALEMA: ISIS SHOULD BE TRIED IN AN INTERNATIONAL COURT

Former Prime Minister of Italy, Massimo D'Alema, who attended the forum via Skype said the following; “I express my heartfelt loyalty to ISIS victims, SDF, YPG and YPJ forces. The fight against ISIS is not over. Isıs should be tried and the international community should do their part on the matter. I express my support for an international court to be established for the trial of the mercenaries. We want peace for Syria.”