Amid the escalation… a call to uphold humanity
Statement by Ahimsa Youth Nonviolent Activists – Ahimsa for Nonviolence
Regarding the Events of January 7, 2026
Amid the dangerous military escalation affecting Sheikh Maqsoud, Al-Ashrafieh, and the surrounding neighborhoods in Aleppo over the past few days, accompanied by shelling and clashes that threaten civilian lives, we at Ahimsa express our deep concern over the increasing violations against residents—especially children, women, and the elderly—who once again find themselves trapped in a conflict they have no part in.
Targeting residential areas, or turning populated neighborhoods into battlegrounds, constitutes a clear violation of basic humanitarian principles and underscores the failure of militarization to protect people or achieve any form of stability. Civilians are not parties to any conflict and must never be used as leverage or justification for military action.
At Ahimsa, we believe that violence in all its forms is unacceptable, regardless of its source or justification. We stress the urgent need to neutralize Sheikh Maqsoud, Al-Ashrafieh, and the surrounding neighborhoods, halt all military activities in and around these areas, and ensure the protection of residents while providing unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.
Continued escalation not only threatens lives but also entrenches societal divisions, fuels fear and hatred, and undermines any opportunity to build genuine peace. From this standpoint, we call on all relevant parties to take ethical and legal responsibility, actively work to stop the violence, and open genuine accountability pathways for violations committed against civilians—free from logic of justification or revenge.
We also urge Syrians, regardless of their locations or affiliations, to reject incitement and hate speech, and to uphold human values that protect dignity and life. Syria cannot be built by force, nor protected by violence, but through nonviolence, justice, and mutual recognition of everyone’s rights.
At Ahimsa, we renew our firm commitment to the principles of nonviolence and the defense of civilians’ rights to life and safety in Sheikh Maqsoud, Al-Ashrafieh, and the surrounding neighborhoods. We believe that protecting children and keeping civilians safe is not a political option—it is an uncompromisable human duty.
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