‘Attack on the martyrs’ cemetery is an act of revenge against the resistance of the people of Afrin’

The peoples of North and East Syria, and especially the families of martyrs have reacted angrily to the Turkish state desecration of the martyrs’ cemetery in Afrin. The remains of 35 martyrs were desecrated on 14 July.

Martyrs’ families in the neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah in Aleppo spoke to ANHA about the action of the Turkish state.

‘They cannot expel the spirits of the martyrs from these lands’

Fidan Hisen, mother of Martyr Hemude, pointed out that the Turkish state and its mercenary allies have violated the rights of local people who sacrificed their lives for their achievements and lands, and added: “The Turkish state intends to eliminate the history of our martyrs’ heroic resistance. However, through such practices, they cannot expel the spirits of our martyrs from these lands.”

Fidan Hisen stressed that the crimes carried out by the Turkish state and its mercenaries against local people cannot interrupt the people’s determination, resistance and stance to demand their rights.

‘They commit crime under the name of Islam’

A citizen named Rewşan Mihemed recalled the Turkish state’s massacre attacks against civilians and the desecration of graves since Turkey occupied Afrin, and added: “The invaders committed numerous crimes such as seizing private properties and kidnapping. Moreover, they commit these crimes under the name of Islam.”

Mihemed continued: “None of the religions allow such crimes. The Turkish state attacks on the graveyards of our children who fought and sacrificed their lives for their people and lands aimed to eliminate our spirit and struggle based on the resistance of martyrs.”

‘We will resist until Afrin is liberated’

“The Turkish state attacked the martyrs’ graves to take revenge on the resistance of the people of Afrin,” said Serhed Mihemed, adding that the people of Afrin continue their resistance in the camps in Shehba. The martyrs, he said, are the leading figures for the next generations.

Mihemed also said that they will resist against the Turkish state and its mercenary allies until Afrin is liberated.