Attacks on Rojava by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) mercenaries affiliated with the Turkish-state-backed Syrian interim government placed Kobanê under siege, cutting off electricity and water supplies.
After failing to break the resistance in Kobanê, HTS resorted to methods regarded as war crimes, prompting Kurds and their allies around the world to launch a broad mobilization demanding the opening of a humanitarian corridor to the city and the delivery of aid.
Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) MP Heval Bozdağ spoke to ANF about the embargo imposed on Kobanê and the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
Targeting health workers shows there are no limits
Heval Bozdağ said that placing cities under siege, sealing entry and exit points, and cutting access to necessities such as food, electricity and water would have deadly consequences, particularly for vulnerable groups including children, the elderly and the sick. Bozdağ said: “The continuation of the siege will lead to grave consequences. Six children have already lost their lives after freezing to death and being unable to access food. Treatment for dialysis patients and for those with chronic illnesses who require continuous medication is being disrupted, and health services cannot be sustained without medical support. This entire siege aims to break the will to resist and to take society hostage. The siege must be lifted before it leads to far greater catastrophes. The entire world must first take a strong stance toward ending these blockades. Turkey’s silence and its increasingly clear positioning on this issue are unacceptable.
At the very least, a health and life corridor must be opened from Turkey through the Mürşitpınar Border Gate. Otherwise, Turkey will be directly responsible for the deaths that occur there.”
Bozdağ said that the targeting of health workers and medical institutions demonstrates that jihadist mercenaries and dominant powers recognize no limits in war. She also added: “Hospitals are undefended spaces where vulnerable groups, patients and health workers are present. Targeting such places constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity. We have seen hospitals targeted in Palestine and in Ukraine. We have also seen hospitals, civilians, patients, doctors, and health workers targeted in Aleppo. Through these attacks that recognize no humanitarian values, fear and insecurity are being sharply imposed on social consciousness. An atmosphere of vulnerability is being deliberately created. Democratic public opinion has already formed a strong objection to these attacks. Protecting universal values is only possible through a firm counter-stance against them. At this point, health organizations and physicians bear responsibility.”
The Kurdish freedom struggle will be the winner of this process
Heval Bozdağ said that health workers in Turkey have filed applications with the relevant authorities in response to the attacks and have insisted on traveling to Kobanê. Bozdağ said: “Health workers submitted applications to the Ministry of Health and the Urfa Governorate through Health and Social Service Workers’ Union (SES) and local medical chambers. They demanded permission both to travel to Kobanê to conduct on-site assessments and for the opening of a medical and life corridor. However, no response has been received so far. The Turkish Medical Association has called on the relevant special rapporteurs and working groups of the United Nations due to forced displacement and the obstruction of access to health services. The letter prepared was sent to United Nations mechanisms responsible for human rights, the right to health, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detention, racism, torture and international order. The letter also referred to reports by Heyva Sor a Kurd. In addition, it noted that the release of ISIS members from the prisons where they are held poses risks to regional stability and global security.
Kurds have gone through different experiences, both during the ‘Peace and Democratic Society Process’ and considering what has unfolded in Rojava. They have taken careful note of where certain actors stand against the struggle for freedom and democracy, and of insincere positions. The inconsistencies in the policies of regional and global actors have been an invaluable experience for Kurds. There has been vulnerability, yes; but beyond that, this process has generated a very strong political consciousness. I believe this will have repercussions in the coming period and will turn into a gain for the Kurdish freedom struggle.”