Basque trade union LAB issued a statement to express “its strongest, clearest and unconditional solidarity with the Kurdish people and, in particular, with the civilian population of northern and eastern Syria. We condemn the ongoing war to which Kurdistan is subjected and demand, once and for all, the end of the attacks, occupation and persecution of a people who have been fighting for decades for their survival, their dignity and their right to freely decide their future.”
The statement added: “The international community cannot continue to remain silent or look the other way in the face of the serious escalation of violence in Syria. It is essential that all necessary political and diplomatic mechanisms be activated immediately to move towards a democratic and just solution to the Kurdish question, based on the recognition of the collective rights of the Kurdish people and on coexistence between peoples.
Rojava and, in general, northern and eastern Syria are currently facing a large-scale war led by the Syrian Transitional Government, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, in close collaboration with the Turkish Government. Following the fall of the Tishreen dam and the cities of Ayn Issa and Sirrin to jihadist militias, the offensive has reached Kobanê. This city, a symbol of Kurdish resistance and the international fight against ISIS in 2014, is once again surrounded and under siege. From the Turkish border to the advance of jihadist gangs, Kobanê is under constant attack, while the supposed ceasefire is systematically violated.”
The statement continued: “Recently, forces of the Syrian Transitional Government and allied jihadist militias have attacked Al-Shadadi prison, freeing ISIS prisoners who were imprisoned there. At the same time, Al-Sharaa forces, together with Al-Qaeda, other jihadist organisations and armed groups supported by Turkey, have launched a direct offensive against Kobanê, putting the civilian population and basic infrastructure in serious danger.
LAB strongly condemns these attacks and warns that the dynamics of war, the logic of power and external interference continue to fuel the conflict and block any real political solution. We demand that the United Nations, the United States, the Arab League and the European Union assume their historical responsibility and act with determination to stop the aggression against the Kurdish people and guarantee the protection of the civilian population.
We reaffirm our full solidarity with the Kurdish people, their social and political organisations, and all communities that defend a model of coexistence based on peace, democracy, gender equality and respect for cultural and religious diversity. The Rojava experience represents a beacon of hope in the face of barbarism and deserves the active support of the peoples of the world.”
The statement added: “We also demand that the Turkish Government listen to and respond to the peace proposals set out by the Kurdish side, represented by Abdullah Öcalan, and move towards a democratic solution that will enable fair and peaceful coexistence with the Kurdish people in Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq.
From the Basque Country, LAB reaffirms its internationalist commitment and its firm support for the struggle of the Kurdish people. Their resistance is also our struggle for freedom, social justice, equality and dignity for all peoples.”