On 09 October 2019, the Turkish government began its military offensive on north-eastern Syria. It wants to set up a security zone for two million refugees there. For the people affected, this sounds like a mockery. Instead of stability and security, Turkey is bringing another escalation and a humanitarian catastrophe.

The region currently provides security for thousands of internally displaced people. The previous invasions of Aleppo 2016 and Afrin 2018 by Turkey have clearly shown that this results in flight and displacement and not in security or even peace. Now Turkey has started its long planned military offensive in Northeast Syria.

The German government also expressed concerns about the planned "security zone" and warned its NATO partner Turkey against a military invasion. However, it did not speak of consequences. Instead, the German government shows understanding for Turkey's security interests in the border area instead of putting the protection of the more than 5 million people living in Northeast Syria first. Moreover, the West is disregarding a breach of international law and is now abandoning the former Kurdish allies who played a decisive role in the fight against the IS.

We strongly condemn the Turkish offensive. The Federal Government and the EU must not look the other way again and must finally face up to their responsibility.