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08Mar16
Answer from Turkey to the Russian allegations regarding the assistance given to foreign terrorist fighters on their way to Syria
United Nations
Security CouncilS/2016/224
Distr.: General
8 March 2016
Original: EnglishLetter dated 8 March 2016 from the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council
Upon instructions from my Government, I have the honour to enclose herewith a note on the allegations contained in the letter from the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation dated 10 February 2016 (S/2016/143) (see annex).
I would be grateful if the present letter and its annex could be circulated as a document of the Security Council.
(Signed) Y. Halit Çevik
Permanent Representative
Annex to the letter dated 8 March 2016 from the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council
The note attached to the letter of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation is composed of baseless allegations.
Becoming a direct party in the Syrian conflict, Russia has been responsible for civilian deaths, havoc and destruction in Syria in proportions and effectiveness that can only be matched by the regime.
Independent studies confirm that the Russian Federation accounts for up to 70 per cent of civilian deaths that are taking place in Syria. Since its military involvement began in Syria on 30 September 2015, Russian air strikes have already claimed over 1,300 lives. Ninety per cent of these victims are civilians. The attacks left over 2,000 people wounded. A note pointing out these casualties in further detail is enclosed to the present note (enclosure I).
Russia today is also directly responsible for the indiscriminate and total destruction of civilian infrastructure, another common denominator with the regime's practices. This, too, adds to the humanitarian tragedy at a time when the international community is desperately trying to get sustained humanitarian aid to the Syrian people living under besieged areas also in relation to Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), which the Russian Federation helped draft, but effectively blocked the implementation thereof.
Deliberate targeting of hospitals, schools, food stocks, water and electricity distribution networks amounts to war crimes.
Russia entered the Syrian theatre under the pretext of fighting Daesh/ISIL and terrorism. After over 8,000 strikes, 90 per cent of which targeted the opposition elements, there is not a single shred of evidence that Russian strikes made any impact against Daesh/ISIL. Terrorism has grown and spread.
The baseless allegations against Turkey, hosting the more than 2.5 million Syrians, are being levelled by Russia against this backdrop. Russia's and the regime's continued attacks since the cessation of hostilities put the entire political process at risk and therefore carry the potential for additional mass movement of Syrians in literally tens of thousands to our borders.
If the Russian Federation is serious about fighting terrorism, it should move its focus on the regime in a serious effort to get the political process to become functional. The Russian Federation's current course is only adding fuel to the fire by also directly participating in the conflict by raising the level and intensity of the violence. The only way out of this vicious cycle is ensuring a genuine political transition on the basis of the Geneva communique.
Turkey has a commendable track record in terms of countering the threat of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs), as well as showing close and transparent cooperation with all countries. A detailed note on our efforts to counter the FTF threat is attached (enclosure II). Ironically, Turkey has intercepted potential FTFs with Russian connections and informed the latter about their deportation numerous times in spite of the lack of cooperation by the Government of the Russian Federation, which is contrary to its own declared interests. Furthermore, news reports regarding Russians travelling to Syria to join Daesh/ISIL with their Government's approval remain a great concern.
Russia's allegations are directed to shift the focus of the international community's attention from its actions and the real issue, which is ending the conflict in Syria. We invite Russia to live up to the responsibility that Security Council membership entails.
Enclosure I
Civilian casualties due to Russian air strikes in Syria
Date Location Casualties 07.10.2015 Latakia/Turkmen Mountain 7 dead 15-21.10.2015 Idlib/Sarakib, Khirbet El Coz
Latakia/Salma, Kansaba
Hama-Idlib/Mansurah, Tel Vasit, Kafer Zeyta, Sheikh Moustafa
Aleppo/Han Toman, Zitan, Zerbe, Hanasir, Kafer Jum, Aradah, Zerba
Homs/Telbise, Um Sharshuh, Tayr Mallah ve Ghantou
Damascus/Cobar, Duma, Marj El Sultan, Deyr Asafir40 dead/120 wounded 22-26.10.2015 Aleppo/Kafer Abid, Balas, Abtin, Karasi, Han Toman, Zerbe, Barkum, Kafer Jum, Han Asal, Anadan
Homs/Telbise, Tayr Mallah, Al Ghankou, Sultan, Allus, Umm Al Karamil, Tayr Mallah, Dar Al Kebire, Rastan
Latakia/Salma
Idlib/Han Seyhun, Hass
Hama/Ikerbat, Latamne, Tel Vasit, Al Mansura, Kafer Zeyta, Kafer Nabuda
Damascus/East Gota-Mersaba
Daraa/Kafer Shams, Harra, Anter45 dead/55 wounded 31.10.2015 Aleppo/Meskane (Mosque) 50 dead/80 wounded 01.11.2015 Aleppo/Fardos, Sukkari, Seyf El Devle 60 dead/100 wounded 27.11.2015 Aleppo/Azaz 10 dead 29.11.2015 Aleppo/Azaz 12 dead/20 wounded 29.11.2015 Idlib/Ariha 45 dead/60 wounded 07.12.2015 Aleppo/Hulluk 6 dead/14 wounded 13.12.2015 Damascus/East Gota, Duma, Hammuriye, Sakba, Zemelka, Irbin 65 dead/120 wounded 17.12.2015 Aleppo/Azaz 7 dead/8 wounded 20.12.2015 Idlib/City centre 20 dead/30 wounded 22.12.2015 Damascus/East Gota-Bazyna 35 dead/50 wounded 24.12.2015 Aleppo/Rashidin 10 dead 25.12.2015 Aleppo/Azaz (Women and Children's Hospital) 13 dead/20 wounded 26.12.2015 Aleppo/City centre 10 dead 26.12.2015 Idlib/Jerjenaz (Kindergarten) 7 dead/15 wounded 27.12.2015 Homs/Tedmur 15 dead 27.12.2015 Latakia/Al Howr; Aleppo/Al Bab; Homs/Tedmur 10 dead/20 wounded 28.12.2015 Aleppo/Tel Rifat 15 dead/15 wounded 29-30.12.2015 Aleppo/Tel Rifat 20 dead/35 wounded 31.12.2015 Aleppo/Azaz (including women and children) 10 dead/15 wounded 03.01.2016 Aleppo/Azaz 25 dead/10 wounded 04.01.2016 Aleppo/Mare; Latakia/Kurdish Mountain-Salma 6 dead/15 wounded 04.01.2016 Homs/Rastan 2 dead 08.01.2016 Aleppo/Tel Rifat 5 dead/15 wounded 08.01.2016 Rakka (mostly women and children) 10 dead 09.01.2016 Idlib/Maarat El Numan, Han Seyhun, Sarakib 50 dead/110 wounded 10.01.2016 Daraa 6 dead 11.01.2016 Aleppo/Anjarah, Kafer Naha (schools) 30 dead (all children) 11.01.2016 Homs/Rastan, Sheikh Ali, Maarat Al Artik 7 dead/7 wounded 12.01.2016 Aleppo/Hayyan 5 dead/6 wounded 12.01.2016 Aleppo/Munbic 30 dead/40 wounded 14.01.2016 Aleppo/North 7 dead/20 wounded 14.01.2016 Aleppo/Bab 7 dead 15.01.2016 Aleppo/Mayer, Marastel Khan 2 dead 15.01.2016 Aleppo/Munbic 2 dead/5 wounded 16.01.2016 Aleppo/Haritan, Deyr Hafir 2 dead/12 wounded 16.01.2016 Rakka 30 dead 17.01.2016 Homs/Rastan; Aleppo/Deyr Jemal 9 wounded 17.01.2016 Aleppo/Munbic 40 dead 22.01.2016 Idlib/Bab El Hava, Sarmada, Dana 10 dead/20 wounded 22.01.2016 Aleppo/Munbic; Deyr Ez Zor/Buleyl 10 dead 23.01.2016 Aleppo/Bzaa 5 dead 23.01.2016 Deyr Ez Zor 10 dead/20 wounded 24-25.01.2016 Idlib/Salkin 20 dead/25 wounded 24-25.01.2016 Idlib 10 dead/10 wounded 24-25.01.2016 Aleppo/Al Bab, Ahras 10 dead January 2016 (third week) Deyr Ez Zor/Hasham 100 dead 28.01.2016 Idlib/Kafer Takkarim; Homs/Ghantu 25 dead/30 wounded 30.01.2016 Ghariyat Al Gharbiyah, Azaz, Umm Sharshuh 11 dead 31.01.2016 Homs/Kissin 20 wounded 01.02.2016 Aleppo/Anadan 4 dead/20 wounded 2-3.02.2016 Aleppo/North 20 dead/30 wounded 04.02.2016 Aleppo/Meshat, Kallaseh, Firdevs, Halluk, Sahaar 30 dead/50 wounded 05.02.2016 Aleppo/Sakhur (Mosque) 15 dead/30 wounded 09.02.2016 Aleppo/Azaz, Kafer Kalbin 15 dead 15.02.2016 Aleppo/Azaz 10 dead/30 wounded 15.02.2016 Idlib/Maraat El Numan, Al Hamidiyah, Sarakib (MSF hospitals) 5 dead/30 wounded
Enclosure II
Turkey's efforts to counter the foreign terrorist fighter threat
Turkey has been countering the threat of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) since 2011 and called for source countries to take necessary legal and administrative measures to prevent the departure and travel of FTFs from their countries.
In this regard, in the framework of national measures, Turkey formed a no-entry list in 2011, which now includes more than 37,000 names; more than 3,000 foreigners have been deported since 2011 and, in the context of measures against FTFs, additional security measures have been introduced, including new risk analysis units at the airports and transport hubs, enhanced passenger screening and security checks in regions adjacent to the Syrian border. Until now, around 7,500 people have been checked by these units, and more than 1,800 of them were denied entry to Turkey.
Turkey officially informs the embassies in Ankara by note verbale about the travel itinerary of foreigners to be deported and who are suspected to be FTFs. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested relevant contact information from embassies in Ankara for urgent notifications.
Since the beginning of 2015, as a result of Turkish law enforcement operations, 2,314 individuals, including 970 foreign nationals, have been detained and 744 persons have been put under arrest due to their affiliation with Daesh/ISIL and El Nusra terrorist groups.
Turkey has encouraged and requested information sharing from all countries to support its efforts against the FTF threat, including the Russian Federation. In February 2015, during the White House Summit against Violent Extremism, the President of the Federal Security Agency of the Russian Federation declared that there were 1,800 FTFs from Russia. At that time, the number of citizens of the Russian Federation in the no-entry list of Turkey was not more than one third of that declared number, revealing the lack of sharing of information and intelligence regarding FTFs from the Russian Federation.
In addition to bilateral cooperation, Turkey also encouraged and called for the use of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to curb the travel of FTFs. In 2014, Turkey received 24 bulletins or diffusion messages for search warrants from the Russian Federation through INTERPOL. In 2015 this number increased to 226.
Despite the lack of cooperation from the Russian Federation to prevent the travel of FTFs, Turkish authorities have not spared any efforts to intercept potential FTFs with Russian connections. As such, since the end of 2014, Turkey has informed the Russian Federation about the deportation of 276 individuals for FTF-related suspicions.
On the other hand, Turkey is concerned to learn about the activities of Russian citizens who, according to the declarations made by Ramzan Kadyrov to State media organs of the Russian Federation, travelled to take part in the Daesh/ISIL terrorist group with the consent of Russian Federation authorities (The Moscow Times, 8 February 2016).
Further, recent INTERPOL bulletins also reveal that more than 40 citizens of a Commonwealth of Independent States member country have travelled to Syria to join Daesh/ISIL after a period of residency as migrant workers in the Russian Federation.
Thus, Turkey is concerned with the fact that, due to lack of proper measures against violent extremism and radicalization, as well as inefficient air travel border control for outbound passengers by the Russian Federation, this country has become a hub and an unobstructed transit route for potential foreign terrorist fighters.
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