The commander of the Syrian militia, whereas visiting the native Christian neighborhood in Ras Al-Ein within the north of the nation, promised to guard the final remaining Christians in the area people.
Ras Al-Ein, at present below the management of a coalition of Islamist militias, is situated close to Syria's border with Turkey. Commander Abdulaziz Al-Sawadi, also called Abou Barzan, leads the forces accountable for an space 25 miles west of town.
In accordance with an area resident who spoke to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a charity selling freedom of faith and perception, Commander Abdulaziz Al-Sawadi visited town on June 22 and instructed residents that he was dedicated to strengthening his relations with native communities. and constructing stronger communication channels.
Taking day trip of his go to to tour the St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Church and the church library, the commander additionally assured his viewers that he was working to develop efficient mechanisms to resolve grievances and disputes, particularly these associated to property.
“We had been delighted to welcome Abou Barzan and his employees to our metropolis and church,” an area supply instructed CSW.
“Our relationship with them goes again to 2019 and we have now at all times appreciated his understanding and respect for the spiritual and ethnic variety of our metropolis and his dedication to foster a pleasant relationship with completely different communities, a relationship based mostly on belief, cooperation and respect for the rights of civilians.”
The identical resident additionally instructed CSW that the neighborhood didn’t encounter any issues associated to land and property rights in areas below Commander Al-Sawadi's jurisdiction and that landowners continued to have full management over their farms and crops. This was in stark distinction to areas managed by different militias, such because the Al-Moutasem and Suliman Shah brigades, the place landowners confronted unlawful taxes and bribes, and in some instances had their land confiscated.
“We’ve got achieved it [the brigades] a number of occasions however they saved ignoring our complaints and handled us disrespectfully and threatened us,” stated a resident.
The CSW additionally spoke to a senior tribal chief who condemned the actions of the opposite militia commanders.
“As Sunni Arab tribes, we condemn the habits of militia teams resembling Al-Moutasem and Suliman Shah. They don’t characterize us, they solely characterize themselves and their supporters,” he stated.
“They’re worse than Assad's officers, who had been corrupt however didn’t intrude with private and spiritual freedoms. They’re warlords who betrayed the aspirations of the 2011 rebellion.”
CSW founding president Mervyn Thomas praised Commander Al-Sawadi's actions and known as on different militias to comply with his instance.
“We commend this gesture by Commander Al-Sawadi. We encourage him to proceed to exhibit dedication and respect for human rights and the safety of civil society, and we name on different armed teams to comply with swimsuit,” he stated.
Mr Thomas additionally urged governments concerned within the area to work in the direction of peace in Syria and make sure the safety of human rights of civilians caught up within the battle.
“We additionally name on the UK and US governments, the EU and the UN to place strain on the Syrian opposition and the Turkish authorities to forestall armed teams loyal to them from committing abuses and to boost the problem of human rights, significantly freedom of faith or liberty. religion and girls's rights in all bilateral talks,” he stated.
“The Syrian opposition and the Turkish authorities ought to act instantly to finish all types of human rights abuses, a few of which quantity to conflict crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity, in areas below their management.”
