You’ve Been Lied to and People are Dying // Help Us Raise $250,000 for SYRIA in 5 Days

https://www.faipublishing.org/articles/youve-been-lied-to-and-people-are-dying-in-syria

When US President Trump and Turkish President Erdogan hung up from their joint phone call on October 6, 2019, the lives and destinies of millions of people were thrust before Turkish tanks and swords. Trump announced the withdrawal of a small operational contingent of US soldiers who’ve preserved fragile stability in the area since the American military formed an alliance with the Syrian Defence Forces (SDF) in the war against ISIS several years ago.

The largest ethnic cleansing operation of the twenty-first century has been underway ever since.

On October 9th, Erdogan launched an invasion of Kurdish-held areas in northeast Syria, under the guise of establishing a “safe zone” in an area that has been secure since the SDF dealt the final blow to the Islamic State earlier this year. Immediately, civilians were forced from their homes, targeted by drone strikes, shot in the street, and have been killed in mass by chemical weapons.

Erdogan’s “safe zone” is no safe zone. There is no ceasefire. He has turned one of the Middle East’s only enclaves of democracy—which fought bravely and desperately to survive the Syrian civil war—into an active genocide zone.

On October 26th, US Special Forces—working with Kurdish commanders and intelligence committees—assassinated the founder and leader of the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The world immediately learned Baghdadi had been hiding in Syria five kilometers from the Turkish border, having frequented his neighboring country several times over the last year. When news of Baghdadi’s death broke and exposed ISIS’ alliance with Turkey, Erdogan promptly threatened the US with retaliation and has intensified his bloodthirsty scourge against the Kurds ever since.

Two days ago, the United Nations announced it would “study Erdogan’s plan” to evaluate how it might assist his “new settlement areas.” There is no other way to say it: to “study,” “aid,” and “facilitate” Erdogan’s campaign is to participate in the largest ethnic cleansing operation this century has ever seen.

Last week, the US House of Representatives voted to recognize and condemn Turkey’s 1915 genocide of the Armenian people. Three-quarters of Turkey’s two million-strong Armenian population was wiped out. Hitler would later base his strategies off of Turkey’s, quipping: “For who now speaks of the Armenians?”

It is right and good to recognize and condemn a genocide. It is cowardly to wait nearly a hundred years after it took place to dignify its victims—and it is hypocritical to do so while actively aiding in the worst genocide and ethnic cleansing operation this millennium has seen.

At press time, Christian communities in northeast Syria—long-protected by Syrian Democratic Forces—are on the verge of collapse. Kurds, faced with certain execution by Turkish forces, are fleeing by the tens of thousands.

FAI is collaborating with local authorities in Iraq and Syria to carry a joint medical supply convoy. The needs for frontline casualty collection and medical services are urgent. The hospitals are overwhelmed, and the few NGO’s and ministries who are serving on the ground are under-staffed and under-resourced. Give now to serve civilians pinned down by Turkey’s offensive, families displaced while their homes are destroyed, and stand with and alongside our Kurdish brothers and sisters who are once again thrust into another fight for their very lives. You donations will be used by FAI medical providers in Syria and partner ministries and NGO’s tirelessly laboring to preserve human life.

HELP US RAISE $250,000 TO BRING EMERGENCY SUPPLIES & MEDICINE INTO ROJAVA.