Syrian Democratic Council December 2024 The Syrian Democratic Council

Syrian Democratic Council
December 2024
The Syrian Democratic Council strongly condemns the renewed violence in Syria. We are deeply
concerned about recent developments, including Turkish-aligned armed groups taking control of Aleppo
and the Hama countryside without resistance.
We condemn the threats to Syrian civilians across the country, and call on the international community to
act swiftly to stop the escalating violence in northwestern Syria. Everyone involved must be pressured to
agree to a ceasefire and begin new, comprehensive peace talks. These talks must reflect the Syrian
people’s aspirations and include all Syrian actors without exclusion.
The Syrian Democratic Council holds the Syrian regime responsible for its rejection of all initiatives that
could save Syrians from disaster. We also hold the Turkish occupation responsible for the recent
escalation in northwestern Syria.
We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation faced by those displaced from the Al-Shahba
area. We urge the United Nations and the Security Council to intervene immediately to protect all Syrian
civilians. Thousands of innocent people face direct threats from Turkey-affiliated groups previously
involved in war crimes, extermination, and forced displacement.
The Council warns that ISIS may exploit the recent escalation in northwestern Syria. We call on the US-led
international coalition to strengthen its support for the Syrian Democratic Forces in their war against
ISIS. We take seriously the concerns of our Iraqi allies and stress the need for cooperation between Iraqi
forces and Syrian Democratic Forces, coordinating with the international coalition to strengthen the fight
against terrorism.
We emphasize the Russian Federation’s important role in supporting a comprehensive political solution.
We remain open to dialogue with Turkey but reject all pretexts for occupying more Syrian territory.
In these critical circumstances, we assure the Syrian people:
1. Continued conflict between Syrian parties only serves the enemies of the Syrian people and increases
civilian suffering. Dialogue must prevail over weapons.
2. All attacks on specific groups in Syria must stop. Kurds and other national and religious minorities are
an integral part of Syrian history and geography.

3. The Syrian crisis can only end through a just political solution that guarantees all Syrians’ rights and
achieves justice, freedom and equality, free from foreign interference or forced changes.
A national dialogue for the whole of Syria is the only way to resolve the country’s crisis. The Council
welcomes dialogue with all Syrians to strengthen Syria’s unity, security and sovereignty. We appeal to all
patriotic Syrians not to be drawn into campaigns of incitement, revenge and propaganda. Instead, support
a political solution aligned with UN Resolution 2254 that ensures a democratic transition. This will
enhance Syria’s unity and sovereignty through a decentralised democratic political system meeting all
Syrians’ aspirat