UN censures desecration of female Kurdish fighter’s body, urges resumption of Damascus-SDF talks

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the desecration of the body of a Kurdish female fighter by Damascus-affiliated forces in Aleppo, calling for those responsible to be held accountable and urging the Syrian leadership and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to return to the negotiating table.

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, told Rudaw's Namo Abdulla, “I have seen these reports,” in reference to viral footage depicting Damascus-affiliated militants throwing the body of a Kurdish female fighter from a high-floor building.

“They are extremely disturbing, to say the least,” Dujarric said, adding that “of course, in all of these cases, there needs to be accountability.”

The desecration occurred amid heavy clashes last week that pitted the Syrian Arab Army and its affiliated armed factions on one side and the Kurdish Internal Security Forces (Asayish) on another, in Aleppo’s Kurdish majority neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsood.

The desecration occurred amid heavy clashes last week between the Syrian Arab Army and its affiliated armed factions on one side and the Kurdish Internal Security Forces (Asayish) on the other, in Aleppo’s Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsood.

The violence left at least 82 people dead, including 43 civilians, according to a Sunday report from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), and displaced around 150,000 people, the Erbil-based Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) told Rudaw a day earlier.

An internationally mediated ceasefire came into effect on Sunday. Despite this, videos circulated online showing Damascus-affiliated militants rounding up, arresting, and verbally abusing Kurdish civilians. Social media users have also shared images and videos of relatives who they say have gone missing since the violence began.

The Syrian Arab Army on Tuesday declared several areas in eastern Aleppo - namely Deir Hafer, Maskanah and surrounding areas - “closed military zones.”

Just days after halting its military operations in Aleppo’s Kurdish areas, the Syrian Arab Army on Tuesday declared several areas in eastern Aleppo - namely Deir Hafer, Maskanah, and surrounding areas - “closed military zones.”

The announcement followed claims by Damascus that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which serve as the de facto army of northeast Syria (Rojava), are reinforcing their military presence in the area - allegations the Kurdish-led forces have firmly denied.

Addressing the escalating tensions in eastern Aleppo, Dujarric said the UN is closely monitoring developments on the ground. He added, “We want to see the government and the SDF return to the agreement that was agreed to and settle differences … through negotiations.”

The top UN official further pointed to ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, warning of broader implications for the country. “It is too important for the fate of Syria and for all Syrians that there be an agreement - a renewed agreement - between them,” he said.

Humanitarian update

The Syrian Arab Army’s advance toward eastern Aleppo comes just days after it halted its military operations in Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsood and seized the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods.

Since then, human rights organizations have warned of increased violations against Kurdish civilians and fighters by the army and its affiliated armed groups.

Dujarric cited the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as remarking that “nearly 120,000 people remain displaced following recent hostilities in the city of Aleppo.” He added, “Our partners report that around 29,000 people have returned to their homes so far.”

Nonetheless, he noted that humanitarian aid deliveries to Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsood have improved, although “movement remains restricted due to ongoing operations to clear explosive remnants of war.”

The top UN official also explained that the education sector has not yet returned to normal, with schools set to remain closed for another 15 days, while flights at Aleppo International Airport continue to be suspended.

Namo Abdulla contributed to this report from New York.