A/HRC/43/57 51. On 12 October at 6.50 a.m., an ordinance hit a temporary medical point located within a school in Salihiyah, which is between Ra’s al-Ayn and Tall Tamr. The noise of an aircraft was heard shortly before the medical point was hit. The attack damaged the building and destroyed a nearby car. 52. In another incident on 12 October, a convoy consisting of between 70 and 80 vehicles, and including up to 400 people, was travelling from Tall Tamr to Ra’s al-Ayn. The convoy consisted of private vehicles, mainly minivans and cars, and included journalists and families with children. Interviewees characterized the convoy as civilian in nature, with the purpose of demonstrating “against the Turkish aggression” and showing solidarity. While about a dozen of the participants were carrying rifles, numerous interviewees confirmed that neither military vehicles, heavy weapons nor ammunition were transported by the convoy. At around 3.30 p.m., the convoy was hit by an air strike, targeting the first vehicle, in the centre of Ra’s al-Ayn, near the Great Mosque. As a result, 11 people were killed and 74 injured, including 19 women. 53. The Turkish authorities have either denied involvement in or indicated that they have no record of these incidents (paras. 50–52). The Commission continues to investigate these incidents, and calls on the Turkish authorities to launch its own investigations and make the findings public. 54. Beyond active hostilities, civilians in and around Ra’s al-Ayn and Tall Abyad were subjected to myriad violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by Syrian National Army fighters consistent with the pattern documented in the Afrin District (see paras. 39-41). These violations instilled fear among Kurdish residents and caused further displacement. Aware of the scale of violations in Afrin, many fled their homes. Anticipating attacks on their community, Yazidi women, men and children, who populated some 13 villages across Ra’s al-Ayn District, also left. Videos published on the Internet, purportedly by Syrian National Army fighters, used language comparing their “enemies” to “infidels”, “atheists” and “pigs” when referring to civilians, detainees and property, which further amplified fears and created an environment conducive to abuse.25 55. During Operation Peace Spring, the Minister of Defence of Turkey announced that 4,219 km2 and 600 settlements were taken under control and checkpoints established on the M4 motorway. 26 Interviewees reported that checkpoints within the “safe zone” were controlled by Turkish officers and staffed with Syrian National Army fighters. 56. Civilians in and around Ra’s al-Ayn and Tall Abyad reported numerous cases of looting and property appropriation by members of the Syrian National Army, primarily affecting Kurdish residents and, on occasions, Yazidi owners who had fled in October. Schools and businesses, such as bakeries, were also looted or expropriated, along with land for making olive oil, agricultural tools and vehicles. 57. Male Kurdish residents from Ra’s al-Ayn and adjacent areas in particular feared returning. However, some Kurdish women were able to access their properties during day trips to gather their belongings. When attempting to return to their properties, individuals found that locks had been changed or Syrian National Army fighters had occupied their homes. This prevented potential returns and further facilitated the transfer of families and communities supported by Syrian National Army fighters to the private residences of displaced persons. 58. In the early hours of 12 October, Hevrin Khalaf, Secretary-General of the Future Party of Syria, was travelling with her driver in a black vehicle from Qamishli on the M4 motorway. At around 7 a.m., between Suluk and Tall Tamr, members of Ahrar Al-Sharqiyah (Brigade 25 26 See https://observers.france24.com/en/20191021-syria-turkey-militia-ahrar-sharqiya-investigationabuses. The Commission is unable to verify the authenticity of the footage. See the statement by the Minister of National Defence of Turkey, on 21 November 2019, to the Parliamentary Budget Committee. Available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8h9-5AEzZQ. 11