BERÇEM CÛDÎ

Kobanê – Eight civilians have been killed in the Turkish bombardments on the Cizîr and Euphrates cantons of North and East Syria. On December 25, the Turkish warplanes targeted the repair shop of the Kobanê Municipality, the Kobanê cemetery, a poultry farm and the Mashta Nour hospital.

The Mashta Nour Hospital was opened in the city in 2005. Having 59 employees, the hospital served about 500 people every day. However, the hospital was completely destroyed in the Turkish bombardment.

The Turkish state has dropped bombs on villages, towns and cities near the border for two days, said Zozan Bekir, Spokesperson of the Kongra Star in Euphrates Canton. “The Turkish state has particularly targeted critical civilian infrastructure, including health centers, power and water stations. Dozens of facilities have been destroyed in the Turkish bombardments. The Turkish state carries out attacks on our region to hide its bankruptcy. In addition, Erdoğan wants to take revenge for their defeat in Southern Kurdistan. Our people are determined to resist and have already taken up their position against the Turkish attacks. Despite the intense bombardment, our people have taken to the streets to protest the Turkish attacks.”

‘We will keep protecting our gains’

Pointing to the silence of the international community and the guarantor states against the Turkish attacks, Zozan Bekir said, “The current silence shows that there is a deal between the Turkish state and the guarantor states. In the last two years, many civilians were killed in the Turkish bombardment targeting critical civilian infrastructure. We paid a high price to achieve gains in North and East Syria. We will keep protesting our gains. The Turkish state will never break our will by using cowardly methods. We are getting stronger every day.”

‘Targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime’

Mizgîn Xelîl, member of the Euphrates Canton Executive Council, pointed to the ongoing Turkish state targeting critical civilian infrastructure. “We strongly condemn the Turkish attacks on North and East Syria. Targeting civilian infrastructure in North and East Syria is a war crime. The Turkish attacks have targeted factories, gas stations, repair-shops and printing houses. The Turkish state has intensified its attacks on North and East Syria especially for three years. The aim of Erdoğan is to destroy the gains of the revolution in Rojava.”

‘The Turkish attacks should be immediately prevented’

Mizgîn Xelîl called on all human rights organizations and women’s organizations to immediately prevent the Turkish attacks to protect civilians. “It is time for Erdoğan to stand trial for killing women, children and citizens of North and East Syria. Dozens of incidents showing the brutality and terror of the Turkish state have been documented. Unfortunately, the international community remains silent against the crimes committed by the Turkish state. Despite conventions against war crimes and human rights violations, the international community remains silent and this silence shows that there is a deal with the Turkish state.”