François Alfonsi calls for a No-Flying Zone in Nothern Syria.

EFA MEP François Alfonsi intervened in Plenary to stand in solidarity with the people of Rojava after the Turkish aggression in the region.

Since the 19th of November, Turkish airstrikes have been attacking the region of Northern Syria, Rojava. MEP Alfonsi took the opportunity to call out the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell and the international community on their lack of support and silence to the Rojava Community.

"Where is Mr Borrell? Can't he see anything? Has he lost his voice? Has the High Representative of the European Union's External Action Service not understood that Mr Erdogan is trying to start a war in northern Syria?"

"Doesn't Europe have anything to say to prevent Turkey's planned invasion of northern Syria?" He added. 

The Co-President of the Parliamentary Kurdistan Friendship Group was alarmed by Erdogan's plan and its consequences. He explained Erdogan's International Law violations and the threats the Kurdish peoples in Rojava are enduring. The citizens in the Occidental Kurdish region are experiencing the current situation in Syria, the constant attacks from Daesh and now the attacks from Erdogan, MEP Alfonsi stated.

"Erdogan is violating international law; he is threatening millions of Kurdish citizens and other nationalities who live together in Rojava, and who, despite Daesh, despite the general situation in Syria, are building a society with real democratic values." He said.

MEP Alfonsi underlined the disastrous consequences if Erdogan succeeds in this invasion of Rojava. He explained how it would have catastrophic implications not only in the Middle East but in the rest of the world, as Kurdish forces holding tens of thousands of radical Islamic prisoners would only make the Daesh stronger if they were to be freed.

The EFA MEP called for a no-flight zone in Rojava to prevent future airstrike aggressions, just like the UN supported the Kurdish region in Iraq. The South Kurdistan area has significantly benefited from international community support and has allowed the region to flourish and become a refuge for those fleeing Daesh.

"We must block the possibility of bombing northern Syria with impunity by deciding to establish a no-flight zone, as was done in its time, under the aegis of the UN, for Iraqi Kurdistan." He said 

François Alfonsi, EFA MEP and Co-President of the Parliamentary Kurdistan Friendship Group concluded:

"Rojava and its autonomous administration have never been a threat to Turkey. In fact, it's the complete opposite".