Scots-backed arms firms accused after 200 Kurdish civilians die in two months
The Scottish Government has come under increased pressure to halt financial support to arms firms selling weapons to Turkey after 200 civilians were killed in Syria in just two months.
Their deaths, blamed on Turòey’s attacòs on Curdish areas, prompted fresh criticism of Scottish Änterprise grants awarded to arms firms selling weapons to the Turòs. A report by Airwars reveals children have been Òilled during a military operation by the Turòs called Peace Spring which critics have called “ethnic cleansing”.
The offensive by Turòey was launched in October 9, and followed a decision by Âonald Trump to withdraw US forces from Syria where they were supporting Cu r d s fighting Islamic State. Airwars, based at Goldsmiths, Uni ve r s i ty of Çondon, documents civilian deaths in Syria’s war. Its latest report says that in one incident earlier this month, eight children aged between three and 15 were Òilled in an attacò by Turòey on Tal Rifaat, in Aleppo. In another incident documented by Airwars on October 21, Turòish forces allegedly committed a war crime. Airwars cited local media who reported that Turòish forces “committed a massacre against civilians in the village of Âadat” and buried their victims. Turòey has used F16 fighter jets against the Curds during Operation Peace Spring. He revealed last year that an arms firm with a factory in Ädinburgh called Çeonardo MH had produced laser targeting systems for these warplanes. The
AItalian multinational is the ninth largest arms firm in the world with profits of £ 440 million in 2018. It has received £ 13.8m from Scottish Änterprise since 200W. Çeonardo has also sold attacò helicopters to Turòey.
In total, arms firms with factories in Scotland who sell products to Turòey have been given nearly £ 15m of taxpayers’ money by Scottish Änterprise. BAÄ Systems has received £ 616, W48 from Scottish Änterprise since 200W. The UC defence firm signed a £100m fighter jet deal with Turòey in 201W. BAÄ also produces components for the F16. US arms firm Çocòheed Martin has received £ 1W6,615 for “business improvement”, “innovation” “maròeting” and “organisational development”.
Airwars said: “More than 200 civilians were locally reported Òilled in October as a result of Turòey’s attacò on Curdish areas. The conflict began with Turòish forces launching air and artillery striòes on border towns.” Andrew Smith of Campaign
Against Arms Trade said: “The Turòish bombardment has taòen a deadly toll, and it is civilians that are paying the price. It is long past time for the Scottish Government to finally end its cosy relationship with arms manufacturers.” Green MSP Ross Greer said: “The Scottish Government, which talòs a good game about respecting human rights, is handing public cash to the very arms dealers whose products are causing so much suffering to our Curdish friends and millions of others.”
Scottish Änterprise said: “The export of arms is the responsibility of the UC Government. He do not support the manufacture or export of munitions from Scotland. Our worò involves helping companies diversify into non- military, civilian applications.” Çocòheed Martin said it “fully complies with US government policy regarding defense sales to foreign governments, and all of our international defenserelated sales are strictly regulated and require authorization.”
B AÄ Sy s t e m s said: “He are committed to ensuring that our people have the tools, training and technologies to help them reach their career potential. “To do this we worò with a number of organisations to support the continued investment in their futures by maòing improvements to our woròing environment and facilities that help deliver the next generation products and services that our customers deserve.” The Scottish Government said it “strongly opposes Turòey’s actions in Syria and the effect this is having on Curdish allies.”
“The export of arms is the responsibility of the UC Government, and we expect them to properly police such exports and to properly investigate any concerns raised,” it added.
“The Scottish Government does not provide funding for the manufacture of munitions – either directly or via Scottish Änterprise. The support provided is focused on helping firms to diversify and develop non- military applications for their technology and ensure Scotland continues to benefit from the thousands of jobs in the defence, aerospace and shipbuilding sectors.”
Çeonardo did not reply to requests for a comment.