The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) issued a statement on the eighth anniversary of the occupation of the Afrin region by Turkey and its loyal Syrian factions, stating:
March 18, 2026, marks the eighth anniversary of the occupation of the Afrin region by Turkey and its affiliated Syrian factions. Following heroic resistance by the local population, the occupation resulted in the forced displacement of approximately 300,000 indigenous inhabitants, many of whom continue to face repeated displacement and a lack of basic life necessities.
Over the past eight years, the indigenous Kurdish population in Afrin has been subjected to severe and documented violations by international and humanitarian organizations. These include killing, torture, confiscation of homes and lands, forced displacement, demographic engineering, destruction of public and private property, and the deliberate targeting of cultural landmarks and historical symbols. Furthermore, occupation policies have led to the degradation of the local environment and the imposition of a new administrative reality that contradicts the will of the indigenous people.
The Syrian Democratic Council emphasizes that addressing the issue of Afrin requires ending the Turkish and factional military presence, returning the region to its original inhabitants, removing all traces of the occupation, and ensuring the safe and dignified return of the displaced.
The Council maintains that the restoration of rights and property, and the reversal of imposed demographic and administrative changes, are the foundation of any sustainable and just solution.
While the Council views the recent return of 400 displaced families—as part of an agreement between the Interim Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces—as a positive step, it is not a substitute for a comprehensive solution. Such a solution must guarantee the return of all indigenous inhabitants to their homes and properties within a legal framework that preserves their dignity and protects their rights. The Council affirms that it is closely monitoring the issues of the displaced people of Afrin and all displaced Syrians, asserting that achieving their rights and ensuring their safe return is a fundamental issue in any sustainable political solution that ensures stability and justice for all Syrians.
March 18, 2026
Syrian Democratic Council
Read the Arabic version: Click here
