Syria: US Embassy calls for accountability for the killing of Kurds on Newroz

The US Embassy in Syria called for accountability for the killing of Kurds on Newroz in the town of Jindires in Northern Syria.

Five members of a Kurdish family were fatally shot by Turkish-backed militia on 20 March on the eve of Newroz in Jindires, near the Turkish occupied city of Afrin.

Newroz is celebrated by Kurds as the arrival of the new year on the spring equinox, and in a political context marks the day the fire of resistance against tyrants is rekindled.

US Embassy said in a tweet on Saturday:

"Violence like that witnessed in Jinderes on March 20 threatens Syria's stability. We urge all parties to halt civilian attacks and call for accountability."

It was gunmen from the Ahrar al-Sharqiya faction that opened fire on the group according to reports.

The faction was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in July 2021 over "crimes against civilians," including "unlawful killings, abductions, torture, and seizures of private property." The group is known to have in its ranks former members of the Islamic State (ISIS).

Turkey has not yet responded to accusations against the faction, which is part of the Syrian National Army (SNA) that operates under Turkish command.