Lebanese Police Try to Evict Hundreds of Displaced from Abandoned Building in Beirut

Lebanese civilians argue with army soldiers as they attempt to evict internally displaced people from an old hotel's premises, at Hamra Street in Beirut, Lebanon, 21 October 2024. (EPA)

21 October 2024

 AD ـ 18 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1446 AH


Lebanese police stormed an abandoned building in Beirut’s commercial district, Hamra, to evict hundreds of displaced by Israel’s war on Hezbollah, who have been squatting there for weeks.


Lebanese authorities have prepared hundreds of shelters to accommodate the displaced. But as their numbers climbed to nearly 20% of the population, or an estimated 1.2 million people, official shelters have not been able to cope.

Tens of thousands had fled their homes since last year. An Israeli escalation last month has driven out an additional hundreds of thousands of people from the south, Bekaa and the southern suburbs of Beirut, many of them often fleeing with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing.

Most of the formal shelters prepared by the government are at full capacity, housing nearly 200,000 people.

Most of the displaced have sought accommodation with relatives and friends around Lebanon. But many have taken to beaches and open spaces, where they set up shelters. With winter approaching, they are seeking a roof over their head.

Scuffles broke out Monday between police and many of the displaced who refused to leave. An ambulance arrived to remove a person who passed out. A woman threatened to jump off the balcony if she was forced to leave, yelling she refused to go to overcrowded government shelters, where there is no space and where she feared diseases.

It was not clear what prompted the sudden eviction. Lebanon’s Interior Ministry said it will not allow trespassing on private property despite the displacement crisis.

Italy lays groundwork for return to nuclear power

In 2011 some 94 per cent of Italians voted against a return to nuclear energy

AFP |

File photo of Italy's Minister for Business Adolfo Urso: AFP

Italy announced Monday it would within weeks create the legislative framework for its first nuclear power stations in almost 40 years.

"By the end of the year we will create the legislative framework to ensure that new third and fourth generation nuclear power plants can be installed in Italy," enterprise minister Adolfo Urso said.

"We do not want to import nuclear reactors from other countries. We want to build them in Italy using Italian technology and science, to export them to other countries," he said on the sidelines of a business conference in Milan.

He said he intended to present an "industrial entity" that could build such reactors.

Italy abandoned nuclear power in November 1987 following a referendum called in the wake of the Chornobyl nuclear accident.

In June 2011, three months after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, some 94 per cent of Italians voted against a return to nuclear energy during another referendum organised by Silvio Berlusconi's government.

But energy security has become a major issue since the war in Ukraine, as Italy was forced to wean itself off Russian gas.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's hard right government also believes nuclear energy is essential to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

Long taboo in Brussels, nuclear power now benefits from more accommodating legislation as a lever for decarbonisation alongside renewables.

The European Parliament and EU member states agreed in February to include the entire nuclear sector in the list of "strategic technologies".

Urso said the use of nuclear power could help lower the cost of energy in Italy, which is, he said, "too expensive compared to European competitors".

"Nuclear energy, which was invented in this country, must once again become the pride of the 'Made in Italy' brand," Urso said.

He was referring to the Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1938 and famous for having created the first nuclear reactor.

English smacking ban being considered by government

Jennifer McKiernan
Political reporter, BBC News•@_JennyMcKiernan

PA Media

Government ministers are considering a smacking ban for England, the Department for Education has confirmed.

Smacking bans have already been brought in by devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Jersey, outlawing the use of physical violence to punish children.

Plans for similar laws in England were rejected by the previous Conservative government as recently as last year - but Labour ministers are now "looking carefully" at whether more can be done on the issue.

The move comes following fresh calls for a ban by the Children's Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza, after the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif.

A court heard Sara was hooded, burned and beaten over a two-year period as her father, stepmother and uncle stand trial for her murder, which they deny.

Dame Rachel said a ban on any type of corporal punishment, including smacking, hitting, slapping, and shaking, could stop lower level violence from escalating.

"If we are serious about keeping every child safe, it's time England takes this necessary step," she posted on X.

"Too many children have been harmed or killed at the hands of the people who should love and care for them most."

In England and Northern Ireland it is legal for a carer or parent to discipline their child physically if it is a "reasonable" punishment - but the Children Act 2004 made it illegal to assault a child causing actual or grievous bodily harm.

Dame Rachel said the experience of Scotland and Wales " has taught us we need to take that step in England too" and "now is the time to go further".

The NSPCC and Barnardo's have long called for an English smacking ban and two-thirds of English people polled by YouGov in March last year said physically disciplining a child is not acceptable.

The previous government argued parents should be trusted to discipline their children.

However, a Department for Education spokesperson told the BBC that stance has changed.

"Any form of violence towards a child is completely unacceptable, and we are looking closely at the legal changes made in Wales and Scotland as we consider whether there is any more we could do in this area," they said.

“We are already supporting teachers, social workers and all safeguarding professionals to spot the signs of abuse or neglect more quickly, including with our mandatory framework for safeguarding children.”

Climate change increases global burnt area

Author: MET Press Office UK
Sun 20 Oct 2024

A new international study has revealed climate change is contributing to an increase in wildfires worldwide, despite human interventions trying to temper this trend.

The study - led by a team of scientists from the Met Office and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) -compares wildfire models with and without the effects of climate change. It shows that in many regions the frequency and intensity of wildfires is increasing, especially in sensitive ecosystems such as the African savannas, and parts of Australia and Siberia.

The research – published today in Nature Climate Change - uses advanced climate models and wildfire models to simulate the impact of climate change on wildfires.

Seppe Lampe - climate scientist at the VUB and one of the two lead authors of the study – said: “We quantify, for the first time ever, the amount of burnt area that is directly attributable to climate change. We found there are more fires in many regions due to climate change”. Seppe added: “Although human activities - such as landscape changes and population growth - generally reduce the area burned, the effect of climate change continues to grow.”

However, the study's findings point to large regional differences. In Africa, where up to 70% of the global burnt area is located, a marked decline in wildfires is observed, particularly in savannahs.

This is mainly due to the increase in human activity in the region and changes in land use. Dr Chantelle Burton, a wildfire expert at the UK Met Office and one of the study's two lead authors, said: “For example, we see that in some regions the landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented, making it harder for fires to spread. In these areas, direct human interventions in the landscape dominate for now over increasing risks due to climate change.”

Chantelle added: “On the other hand, in forested areas such as California and Siberia, the number of fires is actually increasing, which is linked to longer periods of drought and higher temperatures due to climate change. Especially in regions like Western Siberia and North America, we see a sharp increase in the number of fires.
“These regions have been in the news frequently in recent years because of extreme fires, and our models confirm that this trend bears the mark of climate change.”
Dampening effect

The team used models that take into account various factors such as climate, vegetation, and population density. The researchers stress that while human activities such as fire suppression and landscape management can have a dampening effect, this is often not enough to fully counteract the impact of climate change, especially in years with extreme weather.

Seppe Lampe added: “What is striking is that in periods with low to moderate numbers of fires, direct human interventions have a large effect. However, in periods with many fires, the effect of climate change dominates, meaning that in these cases we lose control.”

The researchers also warn for the future. Professor Wim Thiery, climate scientist at the VUB and co-author of the study, said: “The rate at which the impact of climate change on wildfires is increasing every year.”

The results suggest that if the current trend continues, the area burnt due to climate change will increase significantly in the coming decades.

The study comes at a crucial time as we witness increasingly destructive fire seasons worldwide. It is essential that we not only adapt our policies to better manage fires, but also address underlying causes of climate change.

UK

Bonus payments to water company bosses rise to £9.1m amid sewage scandal

It was not just bonus pay that increased but pension contributions too, according to Lib Dem analysis of Company House records.

Sarah Taaffe-Maguire
Business reporter @taaffems
Monday 21 October 2024 

Sky News

Bonuses to water company bosses rose this year to £9.1m - despite record sewage discharges and financial woes at some utilities.

Executives from English and Welsh water firms received a total of £9,126,858 in the 2023/2024 financial year, up from £9,012,777 a year earlier, according to analysis of company filings done by the Liberal Democrats.

When base pay and pension contributions are factored in, total payments to executives reached more than £20m - slightly less than the year before when full remuneration was £20.2m.

Pension contributions also increased to £1.68m from £1.55m.

Base pay alone for water company seniors was more than £9.2m, less than the £9.7m recorded 12 months before.

It comes as a record number of sewage discharges went into British waterways.

Latest figures from the Environment Agency showed discharges of untreated sewage by water companies doubled from 1.8 million hours of discharges in 2022 to a record 3.6 million in 2023 while 464,000 individual spills were recorded - up from 301,000.

Under current rules, water companies can discharge sewage from storm overflows, but only during periods of heavy rain and under strictly permitted conditions.

Meanwhile, the UK's biggest water provider Thames Water faces nationalisation with experts saying the company is "uninvestable" as shareholders pull their investments, while its holding firm has defaulted on some of its £16bn debt pile.

Previous chief executive Sarah Bentley resigned just a day before news of a possible collapse of Thames Water came to light.

Who paid the most?

Despite the tough financial times, the utility was one of the companies that increased bonuses.

Bonus payouts nearly doubled from £746,000 in 2022/2023 to £1.26m in 2023/2024.

The biggest bonuses were paid by Severn Trent, who gave three executives £3.36m in bonuses, an increase from £3.319m year-on-year.

Calls for more regulation

The Liberal Democrats are calling for an immediate ban on bonus payments at all water companies while sewage outflows continue.

The party says it is pushing for a parliamentary vote to ban bonuses by tabling an amendment to the government's water (special measures) bill.

The bill has been introduced as part of the government's efforts to crack down on pollution and financial mismanagement in the water industry.

Proposals in the bill include the ability to jail executives and increased compensation for customers.

‘Freedom for Öcalan, Autonomy for Shengal’ campaign  one year later

As part of the campaign led by the Shengal Autonomous Administration and the Free Yazidi Women's Movement (TAJÊ), Yazidis and Arabs living in Shengal expressed their demands through various actions and events.


ANF
SHENGAL
Monday, 21 October 2024

The ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and Autonomy for Shengal’ campaign has left one year behind.

Within the framework of the campaign that started on 21 October 2023, Yazidis and Arabs living in Shengal (Sinjar) expressed their demands through various actions and events.

As part of the campaign led by the Shengal Autonomous Administration and the Free Yazidi Women's Movement (TAJÊ), a tent action was launched on 25 October 2023 under the leadership of the Shengal Arab Councils.

On 28 October, Arab women staged a march to express their demands for the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and the autonomy of Shengal.

On 11 December, the Young Women's Union of Shengal and the Êzidxan Youth Union supported the campaign by setting up a book stand with the slogan ‘Read Leader Öcalan's Books, Know Yourself’.

Within the framework of the initiative, which continued uninterruptedly in 2024, marches, workshops, seminars, panels and reading events were organised and the demands for the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and the autonomy of Shengal were expressed. The events organised in this process brought support to the Yazidi struggle through participation from different segments of society.

The campaign continues with determination in order to bring the demands of the people of Shengal to the international arena and to call for freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and status for Shengal.

The Yazidi settlement area Shengal (Sinjar) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is the last contiguous settlement area of the Yazidi community. Thousands of Yazidis were murdered and thousands of women and children were taken prisoner in the 3 August 2014 onslaught on Shengal by ISIS militants. While ISIS gangs began murdering Yazidis in Shengal, the Peshmerga left, leaving the Yazidis behind, unprotected. The guerrillas of HPG (People’s Defense Forces) and YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) and fighters of the YPG (People’s Defense Units) and YPJ (Women’s Defense Units) came to the Yazidi people's aid in the face of ISIS aggression. Thanks to a months-long selfless struggle, the city was liberated on 13 November 2015. After the liberation of the city, the HPG/YJA Star and YPG/YPJ subsequently withdrew in 2017. People who returned to their land after Shengal's independence reformed, established defensive units and built their institutions.

Armenian women fight for a democratic Syria

The Armenian Women's Union fights for the active participation of women in all areas of life. Anahit Kasabiyan said that the Armenian community living in Northern and Eastern Syria will establish a political party led by women.


NÛJIYAN ADAR
HESEKÊ
Sunday, 20 October 2024,

Armenian Women's Union Coordination Member Anahit Kasabiyan stated that they will continue to struggle for the construction of a decentralised life in Syria where equality, justice and democracy will be ensured and all nations can live together.

The Armenian Women's Union, which strengthened its organisations with the paradigm of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, continues its work uninterruptedly. ANF talked to Anahit Kasabiyan, Member of the Armenian Women's Union Coordination, about the organisation of the Armenian Women's Union, the participation of Armenian women in all areas of life before and after the revolution and their 2nd congress.



When was the Armenian Women's Union founded and what was its purpose?

Armenian women had forgotten their identity within different nations. They knew they were Armenians, but there was nothing more than that. For this reason, we tried to raise awareness by coming together with Armenian women in Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and Hesekê for three months before the first congress. During this period, 80 seminars were held on the history, culture and identity of the Armenian community. Through these seminars, discussions on the content of the congress were held with the women who came together, and the regulations were discussed.

In fact, after these discussions, the draft of the system to be established for Armenian women emerged and the congress was held based on this preparation. With the slogan ‘The Armenian Women's Union resurrects itself after 107 years’, the Armenian Women's Union was declared at the 1st Armenian Women's Congress held on 30 August 2022. For the first time in 107 years, that is, after the Armenian genocide, an Armenian women's congress was taking place. We needed the Armenian Women's Union more than bread and water. A woman who does not live her identity, culture and does not know her history could face a new genocide at any moment. Therefore, I can say that we have guaranteed our existence with this union. In addition, Armenian women, who needed to be liberated from the male-dominated mentality, needed to organise with their own identity. In addition, it was a great danger for them to live with the cultures and histories of the society they lived in and the nations they lived with, but not to live their own history, culture and identity. Of course, most importantly, staying away from the developments in the Rojava Revolution, which is a Women's Revolution, living disconnected, not taking part in women's organisation would affect the development and transformation of Armenian women.

What was the life of Armenian women before 2012? What kind of participation was there in all areas of life?

Armenian women were involved in different fields before 2012. There was no situation that represented the Armenian people and kept their history, culture and identity alive. They had a position that was included in the system of the Ba'ath regime, was a part of this system and served this system. They were not in the struggle for change and transformation through the eyes of women or from the perspective of free women. They were subject to what existed. The bitter effect of the state system was effective on women, and it would not be wrong to say that Armenian women had no will. Such a picture was also reflected in social relations. In this context, Armenian women and community were indistinct in society and had lost their identity.

What kind of change took place with the revolution?

Historically, the Armenian community has gone through difficult times, lived in various geographies, and had the chance to protect, preserve and pass on its identity, culture and rights to new Armenian generations in the process. Before the establishment of the Armenian Community Council, we were involved in military, political and social activities, and we became stronger through organisation. These military, political and social activities greatly influenced the organisation of the Armenian community. The endeavour to form a strong community enabled them to preserve their own identity. The establishment of the Council with the revolution allowed this organisation to become stronger and more systematic. The Armenian community is now able to organise social events to keep their language, religion and traditions alive, thus ensuring social solidarity. There are approximately 130 political parties representing the so-called Armenian community worldwide. However, when we look at the regulations, researches and struggles of these parties, we do not see an approach that protects and observes the rights of the Armenian community. For this reason, as the Armenian community living in Northern and Eastern Syria, we will establish a political party led by women.

You said that you came together with many Armenian women and organised discussions and seminars. What were the views of Armenian women on the Rojava Revolution during these activities?

The Rojava Revolution was evaluated as a model that allows women to take an active part in political and military fields. The fact that the women's movement in Rojava co-operated with other ethnic and religious groups and encouraged solidarity was seen as an important step by Armenian women, and they were impressed by this approach. Such interaction offered an opportunity for peace and harmony between different communities. The fact that women in Rojava took an active role in the military arena and participated in the war was inspiring for many Armenian women. This reinforced the presence of women in the struggle for peace and freedom and set an example for the younger generations. The wind of change created by the Rojava Revolution in the social structure strengthened Armenian women's belief that similar transformations should take place in their own community as well. There has been an awareness that the role of women in social life needs to be redefined. Armenian women think that the women's movement in Rojava also sets an example in terms of protecting and expressing their own cultural identity. The endeavour to keep the cultural richness of different ethnic groups together allows their own culture to take part in this process.

What kind of road map do you have as Armenian women for Syria-Syria dialogue?

As the Armenian community and women, we are involved in the activities for Syria-Syria dialogue. We have closely witnessed the sacrifices and bloodshed in Northern and Eastern Syria and the Armenian people have played a major role in this revolution. For this reason, we are directly involved in the activities and solutions offered to resolve the crisis. We will continue our struggle for the construction of a decentralised life in Syria where equality, justice and democracy will be ensured and all nations can live together. Due to the current crisis, beyond the institutions and organisations representing the Syrian people, many states have settled in the region in line with their own interests. This is being done in line with plans to disrupt the integrity of Syria and to disintegrate its unity.

How do Armenian women living in Northern and Eastern Syria evaluate the paradigm of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan?

All Armenian women living in the region are organising and strengthening themselves in line with Leader Apo's (Abdullah Öcalan’s) philosophy. Leader Apo's ideas and thoughts, his predictions, the paradigm he developed was not only for the Kurdish people. It is a paradigm that appeals to all peoples. Armenian women argue that Leader Apo's ideas will bring a solution for the peoples of the Middle East and the world. They realise that the key to the solution lies with Leader Apo. Therefore, ensuring the physical freedom of Leader Apo is our priority and, especially, his physical freedom is vital for women. The solution to the persecution and genocide against the Armenian people also lies with Leader Apo.

The 2nd Congress of the Armenian Women's Union was held on 7 January. What kind of transformation was achieved with the congress?

First of all, a coordination was needed for the Armenian Women's Union to carry out healthier and stronger work. Therefore, the Coordination of the Armenian Women's Union was established. It was decided that the representative offices of the Armenian Assembly and the Armenian Women's Union would be located in the Autonomous Administration offices. Small economic projects will be established for Armenian women to develop themselves and take their place in society. In the Armenian Language Course to be established, ideological education for women will be highlighted. The participation of Armenian women in the Armenian Military Council will be strengthened and their participation in the Armenian political party to be established will be ensured. We will consider this year as a year of education in order to achieve better development and transformation in the intellectual dimension. In addition, an Armenian Women's Union will be organised in Raqqa.

People of Raqqa celebrate the 7th year of freedom

At the celebration of the 7th anniversary of the liberation of Raqqa from ISIS gangs, Hisên Osman, Co-Chair of the Democratic Peoples' Assembly, said, “The Autonomous Administration draws its strength from the unity and support of the peoples.”


ANF
RAQQA
Sunday, 20 October 2024, 18:27

Raqqa was liberated from ISIS occupation 7 years ago. People's Defence Units (YPG), Women's Defence Units (YPJ) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on 20 October 2017 that they completely liberated the city, known as the capital of ISIS, from ISIS.

This important day was celebrated today with the slogan ‘We liberated our city in the spirit of our martyrs; we will continue our struggle until we destroy the occupation and achieve full freedom’.

For the celebration to commemorate this historic victory, the Municipal Stadium in Raqqa was decorated with posters of martyrs and flags of the SDF, YPG, YPJ, HPC and Internal Security Forces. The celebration was attended by Sîham Qeryo, Co-Chair of the Democratic Peoples Assembly of North and East Syria, Gabrîel Şemûn, Co-Chair of the Executive Council, Hisên Osman, Co-Chair of the Autonomous Administration Council, tribal leaders and opinion leaders, as well as representatives of the Future of Syria Party, Zenûbiya Women's Community, Raqqa Military Council and many people from the canton.

During the celebration, which started with a minute of silence, Hisên Osman, Co-Chair of the Democratic Peoples' Assembly of Nort and East Syria, addressed the crowd. Osman congratulated the 7th anniversary of the liberation of Raqqa and said, “This victory was won with the determination and free will of the people of North and East Syria and the SDF fighters. The fighters have become a symbol of resistance all over the world with their great struggle and sacrifice in this liberation operation.”

Osman emphasised that the Democratic Autonomous Administration is determined to protect the gains of the region and destroy the mercenary cells and said, “The Autonomous Administration draws its strength from the unity and support of the peoples. Social honour based on the principles of democratic nation and brotherhood of peoples is our common destiny. We will continue to develop our city, strengthen its security and protect its free identity.”

Osman thanked the people of Raqqa and added: “Our people joined the reconstruction work by uniting around the Autonomous Administration and gave great support.”

The celebration continued with speeches on behalf of the Zenubiya Women's Community and the Raqqa Military Council, and various cultural and artistic events.

Seven years ago, the liberation of Raqqa

Seven years ago, Raqqa was liberated from the hands of the Islamic State by the SDF and YPJ. A new life was built step by step on the ruins of the "capital of terror".


ANF
RAQQA
Sunday, 20 October 2024

Raqqa was the capital of the "ISIS caliphate" in Syria. Seven years ago, the jihadists' reign of terror collapsed. After a months-long and costly offensive to liberate the city, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) raised their flags in Raqqa's stadium on 17 October 2017. The stadium was one of the terrorist militia's last strongholds: public executions and torture were carried out there. Two days later, the YPJ (Women's Defense Units), whose fighters had led the "Battle of Raqqa", announced the complete expulsion of ISIS in Al-Naim Square. But the jihadists left behind a devastated, mined city and a severely traumatized population.



The administration of the liberated Raqqa was handed over to a civil council. The body made Raqqa a diverse, multi-identity and multi-religious city again after almost four years of ISIS rule. In an interview with the Mezopotamya (MA) news agency, activist Emine Omar from the Women's Committee of the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria spoke about the years of reconstruction in Raqqa and what has changed in the lives of women as a result of this process.

Omar said: "Raqqa was of great strategic importance to the Islamic State. That is why it became the 'capital' of the ‘Caliphate’. Terror and attacks were part of everyday life and Raqqa quickly turned into a colorless and lifeless city. Both men and women wore black clothes. Women were forced to wear the hijab. It was not clear who was underneath this clothing. The aim was to deprive women of any identity."



Omar spoke about the controls on women by the ISIS's self-appointed morality police, the so-called Hisbah, and said: "On the street, women had no colour. Everything was black. Women were forced to marry ISIS mercenaries. Women who refused were punished. Universities and schools suddenly ceased to exist."

Omar described the destruction caused by ISIS in Raqqa: "The extent of the destruction caused in the more than three years of terror was unbelievable. When the self-government liberated the city, it had to deal with this devastation. It began to soothe the wounds from the ground up. Because ISIS had infiltrated every area of ​​life. When Raqqa was liberated, the women made their victory clear by tearing off their black chadors. That was a symbolic moment. After the liberation, Raqqa shone again in the colors of life. Above all, Arab women who experienced and were subjected to the oppression of ISIS are now spreading the revolutionary understanding of Autonomous Administration. They are committed to defending women's rights in administrative structures and organizations and have founded a women's committee. Raqqa was once called the 'city of death'. But the struggle that the women of Raqqa waged after the liberation contributed significantly to breaking the fear of ISIS here."



Today, Raqqa is being rebuilt according to the paradigm of the Democratic Nation, added Emine Omar. The three core elements are democracy, women's liberation and social ecology. The practical reality of this theory and the dream of a revolution in which women are free and none of them are enslaved has led to great change in Raqqa. As a result, many women who fled the city under ISIS rule have returned to Raqqa. "With the Rojava revolution, women recognized themselves," says Omar, adding: "They took this self-awareness everywhere in their leadership role in the revolution, in their struggle and their organization, and thus also in the reconstruction of Raqqa. Today, women take their rights as a basis in all areas. Assyrian, Arab and Kurdish women founded their own organizations. These organizations are based on women's rights. The apoist philosophy of 'Jin Jiyan Azadî' has spread all over the world as the slogan of the women's revolution. That was a very important example. But the fight against the ISIS threat remains a key challenge - for us women, for Raqqa and for the entire autonomous region."

KURDISTAN

Autonomous Administration: We will share every means we have with all Syrian peoples

“We will share every means we have with all Syrian peoples. We do not neglect to meet the needs and defend the rights of all the peoples living in North and East Syria,” said Hesen Koçer of the Autonomous Administration of North-East Syria.


HÎVDA HEBÛN
QAMISHLO
Monday, 21 October 2024

Hesen Koçer, Deputy Co-Chair of the Executive Council of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), told ANF that the aim of the Turkish state is to make a demographic change in the region and to create contradictions between the peoples of the region.

Evaluating the interest policies of the Turkish state and regional states towards refugees, Hesen Koçer said; “The reason why some states such as the Turkish state have kept Syrian refugees on the agenda since 2023 is not because they have an approach that will benefit these refugees or based on their interests. The main purpose of these countries is the politics of interest they pursue through refugees. These interests are mostly based on how much economic benefit they can provide. In particular, the policy of the Turkish state on refugees has been much dirtier.

‘The Turkish state used refugees to achieve its policy in the Middle East’

The Turkish state has not only turned them into political material. It also used those refugees as an armed force within gang groups. In this way, it utilised them to achieve the policy it wanted to carry out in the Middle East and on the states of the region, and especially to achieve the goals it had set for itself in the region. This was one side of its policy. On the other hand, it has always used these refugees as a threat against Europe. It continues this policy until today. Today, it is creating a demographic change in the region by settling these refugees in the regions it occupies.

By settling people from different parts of Syria not in their own regions, but in the regions it occupies, especially in North and East Syria, it will both make a demographic change and ensure the emergence of serious contradictions among the Syrian peoples. This is the main goal of the Turkish state. Within the framework of this goal, the Turkish state is settling many people in the occupied regions and building new villages and camps in these regions. It is doing this through some organisations affiliated with Qatar and Kuwait.

Under the guise of humanitarian organisations, these institutions are actually taking part in the demographic change in the region. The Turkish state's racist attacks in Turkey until a year ago, which led to the deaths of many people, the looting of Syrian refugees’ shops; all these are planned as a result of a conscious and special policy against refugees.”

‘Peoples suffer the consequences of the wars created by international states in the region’

Hesen Koçer said that the wars in the region also created a wave of migration and continued: “There is a very serious war in the region. This war is not only a physical war waged by states against each other; it is also being waged on the basis of political, social and cultural genocide against societies and peoples. Of course, this war is also affecting refugees in a very serious way. The Ukraine-Russia war, the Hamas-Israel war and the conflicts in general are all causing an increase in the number of refugees in the Middle East on the one hand, and on the other hand, paving the way for new migrations and causing a wave of migration towards Europe. While there are solutions and alternatives to the problems, the peoples who could fundamentally solve the real problems are being victimised by these wars. Today, the hunger, misery, forced migration from their own lands and the deep misery experienced by the peoples of the region under these conditions are the result of the wars created by international states in the region. While there is migration on the one hand, demographic change is taking place in many areas in the region due to these migrations on the other hand. Moreover, these migrations lead to an increase in unemployment, poverty and humanitarian tragedy.

There have been very violent attacks against North and East Syria. With these attacks, a policy of displacing the people from the region was implemented. However, the people of North and East Syria managed to resist these attacks. Today, if the refugees are turning to the North and East Syria region, it is thanks to the security and stability in this region. In addition, taking care of the problems of the refugees and meeting their needs makes people turn to North and East Syria.

There are many refugee camps in northern and eastern Syria. There are people from North and East Syria who were forced to flee their homes due to the occupation. They are staying in Serdem and Berxwedan camps in Shehba. Those coming from Serêkaniyê and Girê Sipî are staying in Serêkaniyê camp and Til Semin camps in Raqqa. The IDPs are staying in these camps with the aim of returning to their cities. This is the expectation of the people.

‘The Turkish state wants to drag society into chaos through threats and attacks’

Again, there are refugees coming from different parts of Syria other than North and East Syria. These refugees are also staying in camps in North and East Syria because it is a safer region. However, the Turkish state wants to drag society into chaos through threats and attacks. The war policy of the Turkish state in the region is, of course, having a negative impact on the situation of the refugees here.

For this reason, as the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, we have always said and are saying that ‘we will share every means we have with all Syrian peoples.’ No one can question the nationality of North and East Syria in this regard. In other words, some people’s arguments that the autonomous administration is promoting the fragmentation of Syria are baseless. We do not neglect to meet the needs and defend the rights of all the peoples living in North and East Syria. Again, whoever comes to this region, we will show the same approach to them.”

‘Attacks in the region cause an increase in migration’

Hesen Koçer pointed out that the Damascus government must do its part in order for the Syrian refugees who had to leave their homes and cities to return to their land and said: “As the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, we have always approached the refugee problem principally. We have always made our calls based on this principle and welcomed the Syrian refugees from Lebanon, too, on this basis. The Israeli attacks in Lebanon had serious negative effects on the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Syrian refugees in the south of Lebanon in particular have faced great danger. We set up a crisis desk on this basis.

We set up committees in both northern and eastern Syria and Lebanon to help the refugees and ensure their passage. We prepared camps, and those who had homes here were helped to settle in their own homes or with relatives. Those who came from outside North and East Syria were sent to camps. About 20 thousand refugees have crossed so far and this number is increasing every day.

Of course, there are camps set up for the resettlement of these people and we have even appealed to many international humanitarian organisations for the needs of the refugees. Some humanitarian organisations have responded to our call, but the majority have not responded so far. The attacks in the region cause an increase in migration. As the Autonomous Administration, our approach is for everyone to return to their own lands.

‘The longer the war lasts, the more migration will increase’

On this basis, we have been calling on international powers and organisations to support the return of refugees to their homelands. So far, however, there has been no serious response to these calls. Some aid organisations in the region are providing assistance to the refugees, but of course, this is not enough to alleviate the hardships and sufferings of the refugees. These people have lost their lands and cities. In addition, the situation of refugees in war-torn areas is worsening. Previously, we have called for the return of refugees from North and East Syria to their own lands. Our call for Lebanese refugees is also on this basis. As the Autonomous Administration, our approach towards refugees is clear. Many states use refugees as political tools and this is the most dangerous approach.

Therefore, there is no solution to the refugee problem in the current situation. On the contrary, it seems that this situation will turn into a much more dangerous crisis in the future. This crisis will be experienced not only in the Middle East but also in European countries. Because the war is not over and the longer the war lasts, the more migration will increase. It seems that this war will continue. In this sense, the situation of refugees is not good. As the Autonomous Administration, we will continue to provide all the support and assistance we can for the refugees.

‘The Damascus government does not have a clear policy for the return of Syrian refugees’

This requires the support of international aid organisations. Likewise, the government in Damascus must fulfil its duty towards the Syrian people. However, so far it has not fulfilled this duty.

The economic, military and political situation of the Damascus government has a negative impact on the refugees. So far, the Damascus government does not have a clear policy for the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

Millions of people have migrated from Syria so far. In order for these people to be able to return, there must be a special policy. So far, however, it seems that everyone is approaching the refugee problem according to their own interests. Some are trying to benefit economically, others want to use it as a tool of social pressure, and the government in Damascus is part of this policy.”

Police in Haiti battle gang coalition trying to seize capital

Published: 21 Oct 2024 

People flee their neighborhood after armed gangs terrorized the Delmas 24 and Solino areas, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, October 20, 2024. 

(Photo by Clarens SIFFROY / AFP)


AP

Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Police on Monday clashed with gunmen trying to take over one of the few communities in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, that is not controlled by gangs.

Solino has been under attack since Thursday, with residents calling radio stations pleading for help as they fled their homes. Officers seized control of several areas as they keep pursuing gang members, Haiti’s National Police said in a statement late Sunday.

In a video posted on social media, gang members hoisted automatic weapons in the air and cheered as they claimed control over parts of Solino, warning that all those who are not part of a gang coalition known as "Viv Ansanm” will be "burned to ashes.”

The coalition also has attacked other neighborhoods, including Tabarre 27, with the attacks forcing more than 4,200 people to flee, according to a report the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration released Monday.

More than 60% of those left homeless moved into already crowded makeshift shelters hosting others who lost their homes in recent years to gang violence. Others sought refuge at a school, a church and a health center, according to the report.

Gangs that control 80% of Port-au-Prince also have threatened journalists covering the most recent attacks, calling them out by name and ordering that they be killed.

Viv Ansanm, which means "Living Together,” formed in September 2023, creating a coalition between two large gang federations that were enemies.

It was responsible for launching large-scale attacks on critical government infrastructure starting in February, eventually leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The coalition also has unified to fight a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police to quell gang violence in Haiti that began earlier this year.

After the coalition was formed, armed clashes between gangs fell by 78% from March to August, compared with the previous six months, according to a report published this month by ACLED, a U.S. nonprofit that collects data on violent conflicts worldwide.

"The consolidation of the Viv Ansanm alliance has enabled gangs to focus their resources on criminal activities and confrontations with security forces, rather than engaging in infighting,” it said.

The report also warned that "despite the volatile relationships among gang members, Viv Ansanm is likely to endure as long as it faces the shared threat of an international security force.”