ARA News
The self-administration in Cizere Canton has promised to prosecute two military conscripts, who were taped torturing ISIS militants.
“A few days ago, footage was circulated on social media about two HPX fighters’ bad behavior; torturing a mercenary during the ongoing battle,” the canton’s Self-Protection Body said in a statement.
The Canton went on to “denounce in the strongest terms this act by the HPX fighters,” adding that it was “absolutely unacceptable and contradicts our ethical and humanitarian frameworks and our values.”
The Cizire, Kobani and Efrin self-administrations have enacted laws which mandate the conscription of 18-30 year-olds. The conscripts are inducted into the Self-Defense Forces (HPX), which serves as a reserve army.
In its statement, the Canton reminded both its combatants and the wider public that it was “committed to the international criteria mentioned in the UN charters about dealing with war captives.”
“Starting from our humanitarian values and social customs, we will bring those two fighters to trial to be justly punished,” the Kurdish body said. “Since they have broken laws and international criteria, they will be held accountable for their irresponsible, individual acts.”
The footage was picked up by the pro-Ankara Anadolu News Agency (AA), which titled its piece: “PYD/PKK torturing civilians in Syria’s Raqqa.” Anadolu News frequently publishes articles that intend to damage the image of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD).
In February, the Kurdish ANHA agency reported that more than 500 HPX soldiers were serving in Operation Euphrates Wrath, which aims to liberate Raqqa city.
Reporting by: Wladimir van Wilgenburg | Source: ARA News
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