“ICC, ICJ and UN to Investigate Ahmed al-Sharaa (Jolani) and His Cabinet Officials for War Crimes and Terrorist-Linked Violence in Rojava”

We, the undersigned, call on the International Criminal Court (ICC), International Court of Justice (ICJ), United Nations, and international human rights institutions to launch urgent, independent investigations into:

According to reports by Syrian human rights monitoring organisations, international and Kurdish media, recent attacks on Kurdish neighbourhoods in Aleppo resulted in at least 216 civilians killed and more than 260 missing, following military operations involving forces aligned with Syria’s interim authorities. These incidents, together with similar past events, have raised grave concerns of possible war crimes, enforced disappearances, and collective punishment.

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1. Possible War Crimes and Civilian Harm in Rojava Under President Ahmed al-Sharaa (Jolani)

There have been credible reports from multiple independent monitors documenting severe violence, civilian casualties, and mass displacement affecting Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods in northern Syria (including Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Achrafieh). These reports indicate:

Intense clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), resulting in dozens of civilian deaths and tens of thousands displaced.

Syrian government shelling and military actions declared in civilian areas, forcing extensive evacuations.

Kurds protesting these actions and openly associating both the Syrian authorities and Turkish involvement with repression and structural violence.

The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) publicly condemned these deadly attacks against its communities as violations of humanitarian law and a failure of commitments to protect civilian populations.

These events have occurred while Ahmed al-Sharaa serves as Syria’s interim president, leading a government that has sought to unify the country following long-running conflict.

We demand:
✔ Immediate ICC and UN investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Rojava and Kurdish areas linked to current Syrian government actions.
✔ Protection measures for Kurdish, minority, and civilian populations throughout northern Syria.

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2. Investigate Possible War Crimes During Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Past Militant Activities

Ahmed al-Sharaa (also referred to in media and security reporting as “Jolani”) previously led militant Islamist groups with historical ties to extremist networks and was formerly designated by the U.S. in counter-terrorism reward programs.

Given this background, we call for: ✔ ICC and UN review of credible allegations and historical patterns of violence associated with armed groups led by al-Sharaa.
✔ A full, transparent examination of whether any acts during his prior command could meet the threshold of war crimes or crimes against humanity affecting Kurdish fighters, civilians, and other minorities.

This investigation should cover:

Alleged militant operations in Kurdish and mixed districts during the Syrian civil war.

Patterns of attacks, detentions, and civilian harm attributed to groups under his erstwhile leadership. Note: Such allegations must be examined by an impartial international forensic investigation to establish facts and accountability.

“As head of state, Ahmed al-Sharaa bears command responsibility for actions carried out by forces operating under his authority, including cabinet members, security services, and allied militias.”

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3. Questioning the Removal of Past U.S. Bounty Without Clear Accountability

Ahmed al-Sharaa was previously featured in international counter-terrorism frameworks, including U.S. reward programs for information leading to arrest due to his militant role.

We demand clarification from relevant governments and international bodies on: ✔ Why past designations (including reported rewards) were removed without thorough release of the underlying investigative assessments.
✔ Whether due process criteria were applied in evaluating his transition from armed group leader to head of state.
✔ Transparent evidence supporting any changes in legal or security status.

This inquiry should assess whether political considerations overrode accountability for potential past crimes.

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4. Examine Turkey’s Military and Financial Involvement

There is extensive reporting on the role of the Turkish state and allied factions in operations affecting Kurdish populations, both historically and in the ongoing conflict. External military pressure, border incursions, and alliance networks may have contributed to systemic civilian harm.

We demand investigation into: ✔ Turkish military and financial support for armed groups operating near or inside Rojava-claimed territory.
✔ Whether cross-border collaboration constitutes aiding, abetting, or directing attacks on Kurdish civilian populations.
✔ The legal responsibility of state support contributing to civilian harm under international law.

“We further call for investigation into the role of external state actors, including the Government of Turkey and its intelligence agency (MIT), regarding financial, military, and operational support to armed groups involved in repeated attacks against the Kurdish Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava) since the start of the Syrian conflict. Numerous reports have documented persistent cross-border operations and coordination that may constitute aiding or abetting violations of international humanitarian law.”

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Why This Matters

Independent documentation from respected monitoring groups — including Syria’s Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), United Nations human rights mechanisms, UNICEF, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International — has repeatedly shown patterns of civilian suffering and potential violations of international humanitarian law in Syria. These patterns require international scrutiny, accountability, and justice.

We call on ICC, ICJ, UN member states, and human rights bodies to act now.

✍️ Sign and share this petition — for justice, for Rojava, for humanity.

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Reporting and documentation include:

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) — ongoing civilian casualty and displacement data.

Rudaw reporting on Kurdish leadership’s condemnation of deadly attacks and humanitarian law violations.

Kurdistan24 sources say at least 216 people were killed and more than 260 Kurdish civilians remain missing Syrian Arab Army, launched an assault in Aleppo’s Kurdish neighborhoods.

Reuters coverage of Kurdish protests against violence and displacement.

AP News documentation of clashes and forced evacuations in northern Aleppo.

The Guardian reporting on Kurdish withdrawal, detention, and mass displacement under current Syrian authority conflict.

Historical context and Kurdish autonomy background from regional analyses and monitoring.