Sema
Nadine Maenza, Former Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, warned the European Parliament about serious human rights violations in Northeast Syria, citing disturbing reports and videos allegedly showing sexual violence against women in Hasakah.
Maenza described the recent military campaign in the region as unnecessary, arguing that peaceful integration could have prevented the escalation. She criticized the presence of extremist elements, noting reports of Islamist fighters displaying ISIS symbols in Raqqa, which she said reflects dangerous ideological trends.
She emphasized that portraying all communities in Northeast Syria through the lens of the PKK narrative is misleading, stressing that not all residents or groups in the region are affiliated with the PKK, which she noted has not posed a threat to the United States.
Maenza also expressed concern about factions within Syrian security forces, including Turkish-backed Syrian National Army figures who have been accused of serious human rights violations. She highlighted a case in which a senior military commander in Northern Syria had previously been sanctioned by the United States for trafficking Yazidi women and girls.
Calling for accountability, Maenza urged strong international pressure on Syrian leadership to remove extremist and abusive elements from military structures. She stressed the importance of a successful integration agreement to prevent further violence, particularly in Assyrian, Yazidi, and Kurdish communities.
Maenza warned that delays in withdrawing armed groups from minority villages could lead to further atrocities, urging global actors to closely monitor developments and take decisive action to protect vulnerable populations.