NEWS CENTER – Reacting to attacks by HTS and paramilitary groups affiliated with Turkey, MEP Lorena Lopez emphasised that the attacks are being carried out with Turkey's logistical support and that if they continue, international institutions should consider imposing sanctions on Turkey and Syria. 

 

As attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and paramilitary groups affiliated with Turkey on Aleppo continue, so does international reaction to the attacks. Lorena Lopez, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Basque Country and President of the European Free Alliance (EFA), spoke to Medya Haber. 

 

‘THE ATTACKS ARE CONDUCTED WITH TURKEY’S LOGISTICAL SUPPORT’

 

"This is (attacks) totally linked with the aggression in Aleppo and in Rojava in general, which is conducted by the Syrian government and Syrian forces with the logistical support of Turkey" said Lorena Lopez, noting that international organisations, particularly the European Union (EU), must raise their voices and state that the attacks are a clear violation of international law. Lorena Lopez stated, “It needs to be said that measures should be taken against the two states, Syria and Turkey, if they do not stop the aggression”.

 

‘WE MUST NOT FALL FOR PROVOCATIONS’

 

Noting that some states want peace processes to fail because they feel more comfortable in a conflict-ridden political environment, Lorena Lopez said, "But I think that those of us who are on the side of peace processes need to be strong, resist, and not fall into those provocations." 

 

Stating that international solidarity is "very important" for peace, Lorena Lopez said that open and strong support should be given to the Kurds in both Syria and Turkey, adding, "Öcalan’s move asking for peace and a democratic society is the most revolutionary thing that can be done now in 2026, because he is insisting on peace, and we need to resist and support all the politicians who are working for that." 

 

‘WE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ÖCALAN’

 

Lorena Lopez stated, “I am grateful to Ocalan because he is offering hope to the world,” adding that a positive situation in Kurdistan would improve the situation in the region. Lorena Lopez concluded: “We need Öcalan out of Imrali; we need him because we know that he has the charisma and the personality that are needed now so that the peace process truly becomes a peace process, one that will be the definitive peace process. We are convinced that this is the correct time to have a real, definitive peace process. So I will end with a message of international solidarity. We will always be with Öcalan, and the time will come when I would be very glad to meet him out of Imrali.”