"It is irresponsible for CP to exclude Syrian perspectives of concern regarding HTS and Turkey’s warm relationship. Journalistic skepticism should interrogate how Turkey's actions are shaping Syria’s political future and whether such actions genuinely serve the interests of stability and self-determination. By failing to provide this context, CP risks legitimizing a geopolitical strategy that disregards Syrian sovereignty, Kurdish autonomy, and international law."
December 23, 2024
To:
Andrea Baillie, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Press
Tim Cook, Managing Editor, Canadian Press
Dear Ms. Baillie and Mr. Cook,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express concerns about your recent article titled “Middle East Latest: 2 journalists working for Kurdish media killed in clashes in northern Syria.” While the report covers significant developments, several aspects warrant closer scrutiny to uphold journalistic balance and integrity.
For one, I believe CP needs to better contextualize Turkey's actions in northern Syria. The article reports on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statements about security threats posed by Kurdish groups and Turkey’s potential military intervention. However, the coverage lacks critical context about Turkey’s broader history of suppressing Kurdish self-determination not only in Syria but also within its own borders and neighboring regions. Through this exclusion, CP presents Erdogan's actions as routine security measures, rather than as part of a systematic campaign against Kurdish autonomy.
Turkey has conducted several military operations in northern Syria, including Operation Euphrates Shield (2016-2017), Operation Olive Branch (2018), and Operation Peace Spring (2019), which were justified as measures to counter terrorism and secure its border. These campaigns, however, have been widely criticized as deliberate efforts to undermine Kurdish self-governance.
For example, Operation Olive Branch, which targeted the Kurdish-controlled Afrin region, led to significant displacement of Kurdish civilians, while Operation Peace Spring drew international condemnation for the ethnic cleansing of Kurdish populations in areas Turkey sought to transform into a "safe zone."
In addition to violating Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, these interventions have resulted in widespread human rights abuses. Reports from organizations like Amnesty International (Amnesty) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have documented incidents of forced displacement, property confiscation, and violence against civilians in territories occupied by Turkish-backed forces. The United Nations and other international bodies (OHCHR) have similarly raised concerns about the actions of Turkish-affiliated armed groups in these areas, accusing these groups of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Including this historical backdrop and the documented outcry from human rights organizations is vital for readers to grasp the broader implications of Turkey's actions and their impact on Kurdish populations.
In addition, skepticism should be applied to Turkey's claims, particularly its justification of military actions under the pretext of combating the PKK and similar groups. While Turkey cites national security as its primary motivation, this rationale obscures a deeper and more systematic effort to suppress Kurdish self-determination both within its borders and in neighboring regions. For decades, Turkey has implemented policies aimed at erasing Kurdish identity, criminalizing political movements, and conducting military campaigns that disproportionately affect Kurdish populations.
Domestically, the Turkish state has historically denied the existence of Kurdish identity, going so far as to label Kurds as "Mountain Turks" and imposing restrictions on the Kurdish language and culture. Even today, Kurdish pupils in Turkey face significant barriers to receiving education in their native language, a reflection of broader efforts to marginalize Kurdish culture. Politically, pro-Kurdish movements and parties have been systematically targeted, with, for instance, members of the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) facing arrests, lengthy prison sentences, and legal persecution (FT).
Beyond its borders, Turkey’s military interventions in northern Syria and Iraq reveal a broader strategy of suppressing Kurdish autonomy under the guise of counterterrorism. Airstrikes in northern Iraq and Syria, like those conducted in January 2024, have drawn criticism for disproportionately affecting Kurdish civilian populations and causing widespread displacement.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented numerous violations tied to Turkey’s actions, ranging from forced displacements and property confiscations to extrajudicial killings. The European Court of Human Rights has also condemned Turkey for its abuses against Kurdish populations, including systematic executions and the destruction of Kurdish villages.
Presenting Erdogan's statements without this critical context normalizes violations of international law and ignores the systematic repression of Kurdish autonomy across the region. It also fails to challenge Turkey’s narrative, which conflates legitimate Kurdish political aspirations with terrorism, allowing these violations to proceed with limited international scrutiny. By including this historical and contemporary context, readers can better understand the full implications of Turkey’s actions and the broader patterns of human rights abuses that accompany them.
Turkey’s own geopolitical goals in the region also represent a clear violation of Syria’s sovereignty and the Kurdish autonomous region. There needs to be some skepticism raised here regarding Turkey’s military offenses, which have consistently undermined international law and regional stability.
I also take issue with how CP uncritically platforms Turkey's positive reception of the HTS transitional government, quoting Erdogan as saying, “The Turkish leader welcomed the fact that many countries were establishing contact with Syria’s new leaders, saying it was ‘a sign of trust’ in the new administration. He said Turkey would assist the country to establish new ‘state structures.’”
This statement lacks essential journalistic scrutiny and omits critical context about Turkey’s relationship with HTS and its broader strategy in Syria.
The HTS is widely understood to be Turkish-backed, and its governance in the Idlib region has drawn significant concern. By aligning with HTS, Turkey has been able to exert control over this strategically important area, positioning itself as a key power broker in Syria’s ongoing conflict. This support enables Turkey to further its geopolitical objectives under the guise of fostering stability, while simultaneously undermining Syrian sovereignty. The CFR notes that Turkish-backed forces, including HTS, have targeted Kurdish positions, directly threatening Kurdish autonomy and complicating efforts by international actors, such as the U.S., to support Kurdish allies in the fight against ISIS. Critics argue that Turkey’s collaboration with HTS not only marginalizes Kurdish-led governance structures but also prioritizes Ankara’s regional ambitions over the broader goal of a unified and sovereign Syrian state. This arrangement has raised alarms about the future political landscape of Syria, as HTS's role in Idlib serves Turkey's interests at the expense of long-term stability and self-determination for Syrian communities.
It is irresponsible for CP to exclude Syrian perspectives of concern regarding HTS and Turkey’s warm relationship. Journalistic skepticism should interrogate how Turkey's actions are shaping Syria’s political future and whether such actions genuinely serve the interests of stability and self-determination. By failing to provide this context, CP risks legitimizing a geopolitical strategy that disregards Syrian sovereignty, Kurdish autonomy, and international law.
Furthermore, the article echoes claims by the Israeli military accusing UNRWA of allowing Hamas infiltration without raising skepticism or citing the agency's robust rebuttals.
According to UNRWA themselves, they have not received any specific allegations regarding systemic diversion of aid in Gaza by Hamas or other armed groups. Should it be revealed to be the case, UNRWA has stated it would strongly condemn any diversion of humanitarian supplies. UNRWA's distribution of aid is implemented through a robust system of oversight and checks, ensuring the safety and appropriate use of the aid.
This baseless attack ignores and is a gross misrepresentation of the agency and a clear example of anti-Palestinian racism. By echoing these unfounded accusations, your broadcast aligns with the defamatory rhetoric used to undermine humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Please correct this inaccurate claim
Moreover, the article states that "Israel says it only strikes militants and blames Hamas for civilian deaths." However, this statement is presented without accompanying critical analysis or acknowledgment of the disproportionality of civilian casualties, as documented by multiple human rights organizations. This framing neglects to challenge Israel’s narrative, which has been widely concluded as acts of genocide by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
To ensure fairness and balance, I urge the Canadian Press to ensure these points are addressed in future coverage of the situation in Syria, especially in regard to Kurdish self-determination:
- Provide historical context regarding Turkey's policies toward the Kurdish population in reporting on military interventions in northern Syria.
- Include responses and perspectives from UNRWA and independent human rights organizations when reporting on allegations of misconduct.
- Apply skepticism and rigor to claims made by all state actors, but most importantly Israel in the case of its actions in Gaza which human rights groups have concluded as acts of genocide.
Thank you for considering these points. I trust that you will uphold the principles of journalistic integrity with coverage of Syria.
Sincerely,
Anthony Issa
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East