Til Temir- The wars waged by sovereign powers all over the world, especially in the Middle East, cause irreversible violations of the right to life. Undoubtedly, women and children are most affected in wars; they suffer from the psychological, economic and social consequences of wars. Psychological warfare is one of the war tactics targeting societies.

The Martyr Amara Center in North and East Syria conducted a survey on “The purpose of psychological warfare and its effects on people living in war zones”. The center interviewed many people about the effects of psychological warfare on them.

‘Psychological warfare is the worst war tactic’

The center conducted such a survey to analyze society, Nadiya Misto, a psychologist at the center, told NuJINHA. “Psychological warfare is the worst war tactic aiming at influencing society’s value system, emotions, motives, reasoning and behavior.”

The characteristic of this warfare is not to persuade people, but to destroy the opponent's spiritual and inner strength, Nadiya Misto stressed, adding:

“It aims to defeat the opponent’s goals and principles and make the opponent believe that it is impossible to achieve these principles and goals. It sometimes promotes some of its successes and victories to show its enemy that they cannot win a victory. Psychological warfare also targets people's hopes.”

‘Belief is the most effective way to defeat a psychological warfare’

Nadiya Misto also talked about the methods of protection against psychological warfare. “No one should believe in false or inaccurate information. The spread of misinformation effects. Belief is the most effective way to defeat psychological warfare. We should believe in ourselves and hope that these wars and conflicts will end and we will have a peaceful life.”

‘People resist the effects of psychological warfare’

The people of North and East Syria resist the effects of psychological warfare waged against them, Nadiya Misto emphasized. “The people of North and East Syria now know what psychological warfare is and its aims. They are still hopeful for the future. They believe in their own administration and defense forces and support them. They have won the psychological warfare waged against them.”