HPG (People’s Defense Forces) Commander Murat Karayılan spoke to ANF about the resistance in Rojava and North-East Syria against violent attacks by Turkish-backed mercenaries and militias affiliated with the HTS government in Syria.
Karayılan stated the following:
“I greet all our people with respect and honor. As a people, we are going through a historic period. There is a war in Rojava Kurdistan, from Aleppo to Hesekê. We respectfully commemorate all the martyrs of this war, represented by the martyrs Ziyad Heleb and Deniz Çiya. These attacks are not only directed against Rojava (Western) Kurdistan, but against all of Kurdistan.
This attack is against all the gains of the Kurdish people
It is clear that they do not want the Kurdish people to be included in the region’s redesign plan. They do not want the Kurdish people to have a will or status. Once they seize the right moment, they will also target the status of Southern Kurdistan (Northern Iraq). They already seek to isolate South Kurdistan and target it. This attack is yet another attempt to undermine the process initiated by Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) in Northern Kurdistan (South-Eastern Turkey). That is the purpose of this attack. They are trying to render the process in Northern Kurdistan meaningless. This attack is against all the gains of the Kurdish people. It has been prepared as a conspiracy. Both international and local forces are involved in this conspiracy, pursuing their own interests. That is why they organized these attacks.
The Turkish state is playing an active role in this conspiracy
Undoubtedly, the Turkish state is playing an active role in this conspiracy. We see that they are participating in this war with fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft. They are even employing their soldiers in these attacks under the name of mercenary groups. They are doing this openly. Turkish officials should know that we are not children. While speaking of establishing internal peace in Northern Kurdistan in the name of brotherhood, they target all the gains of the Kurdish people in Rojava Kurdistan and carry out a genocide through mercenaries. No one will fall for this.
Kurdish people will not forget this hypocrisy
Under this international agreement, the Turkish state, HTS, and ISIS are currently carrying out these attacks. ISIS plays a significant role among the attackers. This decision taken by international forces, namely their stance of enabling these attacks, will be a black mark on the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and other states in the International Coalition.
The people of Rojava defended the honor of humanity
Didn’t the people of Rojava Kurdistan stand as a shield against ISIS attacks? They defended the honor of humanity. They razed Raqqa, the capital of ISIS, to the ground. You called this people your “allies.” So why are you now leaving your allies to face such an attack? What you are doing is hypocrisy. Neither the Kurdish people nor the conscience of honorable humanity will forget this hypocrisy. You fight alongside a people with a force, then leave that force and that people to face an attack. This approach will leave an unhealable wound on the conscience of humanity. These states must know this truth.
The promises made turned out to be meaningless
According to press reports, SDF Commander Çiya appeared on television with a group of fighters and said they were trying to defend the al-Aqtan Prison in Raqqa. He said that more than 2,000 ISIS members were being held at that prison. He reported that HTS militias were trying to surround the prison and to rescue and release the mercenaries held there. He said they had requested help from the coalition on this matter, but that the coalition had not responded for two days. What does this mean? It means that these states are only looking out for their own interests. The promises made turned out to be meaningless.
The mobilization is for all of Kurdistan
No one can accept this reality as normal. There is a conspiracy against our people, and it is being implemented. Undoubtedly, our people in the four parts of Kurdistan must see this situation and oppose it. The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria declared a mobilization. Statements were then made. This mobilization has been declared for all of Kurdistan. And our entire people must stand up for Rojava. Kurdish youth must play their part. Those who can reach there must do so. We heard that some young people in Southern Kurdistan have set out for Rojava, according to the press reports. But this call is for everyone. The role of those in the four parts of Kurdistan, especially those outside the country, those in America, Europe, Russia, everywhere, is very important at this point. We must show the world that we are a nation, that we are one. You cannot kick us out; we have lived on our land for thousands of years, and you cannot ignore this truth for your own interests. We must show this as a nation through our actions and by standing up for Rojava.
No matter the cost, we will never abandon our people in Rojava
Our people in Rojava; you have taught us so much with your patriotism, your resistance, and your national spirit. In this sense, we are indebted to you. And you should know that we will not abandon you. No matter the cost, we will never abandon you. Throughout this process, as the entire Kurdish people and we as the Movement, we will do whatever is necessary. You are not alone. However, first and foremost, you must trust yourselves and your fighters, and you must organize yourselves. There is no need to rush. You must remain calm. Do not rush, and develop your organization. Determine the appropriate path and methods. In this way, you can respond to any kind of attack.
YPG-YPJ and SDF forces will put up historic resistance
As far as we can see, the valuable SDF fighters have been putting up heroic resistance for 14 days. However, the conspiracy and attacks are huge. Still, there is resistance, there is retaliation. They have more experience to enhance the resistance. In particular, the statements made by the SDF Command in recent days indicate that the decision is final and that this force can defend itself and its people. Just as there was high-level resistance in Kobanê, where house-to-house fighting took place, we believe that the YPG-YPJ and SDF forces will once again put up such historic resistance based on years of experience.
The effort, courage, and heroism will undoubtedly lead to results
However, our valued commanders and fighters must also make good use of tunnel methods. As far as we know, there are tunnels. During this period, tunnel methods will be a response to all kinds of attacks and technology, and they are a specialty in warfare. If these methods are used and if Rojava, with its fighters, can take such a stance and resist with the support of all our Kurdish people now taking to the streets, then victory will undoubtedly belong to our people, no matter what form the attacks take. We believe this, and our people must also believe it to the end. The effort, courage, and heroism will undoubtedly lead to results. I sincerely wish success to all our people in Rojava and respectfully greet everyone.”