North and East Syria stands on the brink of disaster, a region that has been a beacon of hope amid the chaos of the Syrian civil war now teetering under relentless assault. As Co-Chair of Foreign Relations for the Autonomous Administration, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this multicultural haven – home to Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, and others – has defied the odds. It defeated ISIS on the world’s behalf, sacrificing over 11,000 lives in battles that protected not just Syria, but Europe from terror’s spread.

Yet today, under the Syrian transitional government’s escalating military and political pressure, we’re facing bombardment, sieges, and the spectre of genocide. Britain, with its proud history of defending human rights, cannot afford to look away. Silence now risks complicity in atrocities that could dwarf those we’ve already seen.

The threats are not abstract; they’re a calculated campaign. Repeated airstrikes and ground incursions target Kurdish-led forces and civilians alike, disguised as “security operations” but reeking of ethnic cleansing. The Syrian regime’s transitional facade hides old grudges, aiming to crush the self-governance we’ve built – a democratic model that empowers women, minorities, and local communities in ways Damascus never has.

This isn’t about unity; it’s about domination. Our people, who turned the tide against ISIS in places like Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, now endure water shortages, power cuts, and blocked aid routes. Drones buzz overhead, striking schools and hospitals, while economic strangulation pushes families to the edge. If this continues unchecked, mass displacement – perhaps millions fleeing to Turkey or Europe – will follow, reigniting migration crises that Britain knows all too well.

Recent horrors across Syria scream warnings we ignore at our peril. On the coast, Alawite civilians faced reprisals in a wave of sectarian violence.

In Suwayda, Druze communities endured brutal attacks, their pleas for help met with global indifference. These aren’t anomalies; they’re the fruits of impunity. When the international community turns a blind eye, massacres become inevitable.

The Kurds fear we’re next – and history backs that dread. From Saddam’s chemical attacks on Halabja to Turkey’s incursions in Afrin, our people have been pawns in regional power games. Without swift intervention, North and East Syria could become another Srebrenica, a stain on humanity’s conscience.

First and foremost, we need urgent international protection. This isn’t a plea for partition or foreign troops on the ground; it’s about safeguarding civilians through UN-mandated mechanisms. Britain, as a permanent Security Council member, could lead the charge: push for no-fly zones, monitoring missions, and sanctions on aggressors.

Activate the Responsibility to Protect doctrine – the very principle the UK helped champion post-Rwanda and Bosnia. Our administration has proven its worth, governing eight million people with inclusive councils that respect all faiths and ethnicities. Protecting us preserves stability, prevents ISIS remnants from regrouping, and stems the flow of refugees. Without it, chaos spills over: terror cells reform, weapons proliferate, and Europe’s borders face new pressures. The cost of inaction? Far higher than the price of prevention.

Take Kobani, the siege that’s become a symbol of our plight. This isn’t just any city; it’s where the world first beat back ISIS in 2014-15. Kurdish fighters, backed by coalition airstrikes including British ones, held the line in house-to-house combat that inspired global solidarity. Protests erupted in London, MPs debated our cause, and Kobani’s victory marked terrorism’s turning point. Now, it’s encircled again – roads cut, supplies dwindling, civilians trapped in a humanitarian nightmare. Water and electricity are weaponised, raising famine risks and disease outbreaks.

The international community must demand an immediate lift of this blockade. Ensure aid corridors open, deploy observers, and warn Damascus that further aggression invites consequences. Letting Kobani fall would betray those who died fighting our common enemy – a moral failure that history won’t forgive.

Beyond that, Syria cries out for a comprehensive, enforceable ceasefire. Fragile truces brokered in Astana or Geneva have crumbled time and again, violated by regime forces with impunity. What’s needed is a deal guaranteed by powers like the US, Russia, and yes, Britain – one that halts all hostilities, allows humanitarian access nationwide, and paves the way for talks. Repeated breaches erode trust; only accountability can rebuild it. This ceasefire must recognise Syria’s mosaic: no one group dominating, but rights for all – Kurds included.

Britain could broker this through diplomacy, leveraging its alliances to pressure violators. Remember, our fight against ISIS secured your streets; now repay that debt with action.

To the British public and policymakers: Your nation has long stood for justice, from WWII’s defiance to modern human rights advocacy. Parliamentarians like those in the All-Party Group on Kurdistan have voiced support; now amplify it. Media, shine a light on our struggle – don’t let it fade amid other headlines.

Urge Foreign Secretary to engage, perhaps visiting our region or hosting talks. Support concrete steps: aid packages, diplomatic condemnations, even asylum for the vulnerable.

Syria’s future can’t rise from repression and ruins. It demands justice, inclusivity, and honouring sacrifices against terror. Britain, you’ve led before – lead now. History judges not just perpetrators, but the silent bystanders. Don’t let North and East Syria become another forgotten tragedy. Act, before it’s too late.