Statement to the Public

A year has passed since the forced displacement of the people of Afrin and Shahba, during which hundreds of thousands of our people were compelled to leave their homes and head toward the regions of North and East Syria on December 2, 2024.

Since the occupation of Afrin and Shahba in 2018, the people have been subjected to a series of systematic attacks and violations. Armed factions have practiced all forms of restrictions, assaults, displacement, and property seizure, in blatant violation of all human values and international conventions. These violations continue to this day amid the inability—or willingness—of the Interim Syrian Government to restrain these factions, leaving the suffering of our people an open wound that has yet to heal.

Despite all the changes that the Syrian scene has witnessed following the fall of the Baathist regime, the people of Afrin, Shahba, Serekaniye, Tel Abyad, and other Syrian regions have still not been allowed safe return to their homes, fields, and cities. This reality demands an urgent national and international movement to guarantee the right of return, stop violations, and ensure a dignified life for all Syrians.

The Democratic Autonomous Administration of the North and East Syria Region affirms that the issue of the displaced is at the forefront of its priorities. It is continuously raised in meetings with political, societal, and international actors, as it is a central issue without which peace and stability in Syria cannot be achieved. Safe return, ending the occupation, and halting violations are essential conditions for rebuilding trust among the components of the Syrian people. We also call on the international community—its organizations, institutions, and states with influence over the Syrian file—to prepare the appropriate conditions for the safe return of those forcibly displaced from their homes.

In addition, we are witnessing today an intensification of hate speech, incitement, and calls for violence, fueled by media platforms and political rhetoric during demonstrations held openly before the transitional authorities in Damascus. These actions stoke hatred and discord among the components of the Syrian people, obstructing any project to build a new Syria based on democracy, social justice, and coexistence. Continuing on this path will only serve the enemies of peace and prolong the crisis while further dividing the Syrian people. Therefore, the transitional authority in Damascus must take a clear stance toward this incitement and hate speech, and hold accountable all those involved in actions that hinder the unity of the Syrian people.

In conclusion, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the North and East Syria Region affirms that achieving the goals of the Syrian revolution begins with ensuring the safe return of the displaced to their homes, and opening the door to a genuine Syrian–Syrian dialogue free of exclusion and marginalization, leading to the establishment of a decentralized, democratic Syria that guarantees the rights of all its people without exception.

Glory to the resilience of our people… and freedom and dignity for all Syrians.