The Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) has issued a statement in which it sharply criticized Russia and the Damascus regime for agreeing to the occupation of the region by Turkey and its jihadist militias.

The statement said: “The MSD hold the Syrian regime and the Russian Federation responsible for the occupation of Afrin carried out by Turkey. We reaffirm our priorities for the liberation of the region, the safe return of its people and the elimination of the Turkish presence on Syrian territory."

In its statement, the MSD underlines the strong resistance to the invasion and to the crimes committed by the occupiers. In a process of active demographic change in the region, well over 100,000 people were displaced, and the most serious crimes against humanity such as torture, extrajudicial executions and kidnappings continue to happen on a daily basis. The MSD appeals to the UN and international institutions to ensure that those displaced from Afrin can return safely. The MSD also called for global support in the fight against the invasion and warned that the Syrian crisis would be deepened by the presence of Turkey in Afrin.

What is the MSD?

The Syrian Democratic Council was established in 2015 as a political umbrella organization to create a political framework for resolving the Syrian conflict through internal Syrian talks and diplomatic work. Political parties as well as representatives of civil society, the autonomous administration and key persons are organized in the MSD.