HESNA MIHEMED

Shahba- The Turkish state continues to carry out attacks on North and East Syria. Since October 4, 2023, the Turkish drones have been targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, health centers, power and water stations, in the region. 10 civilians were killed and many more were injured in the Turkish attacks on December 25, 2023.

After the Turkish state and Turkish-backed faction occupied Afrin on March 18, 2018, many people had to leave their homeland to Shahba Canton. Displaced people of Afrin are now subjected to Turkish bombardment in the canton. NuJINHA spoke to several displaced women of Afrin living in the Um Hoşê village of Shahba Canton. Fatimê Raşîd, one of the displaced women of Afrin, told us that they were never afraid of the enemy’s weapons and that they would keep resisting despite all the attacks.

 ‘We are subjected to the Turkish attacks every day’

Fatimê Raşîd emphasized that they had left Afrin to return to their homeland one day. “We live in a border village and we are subjected to the Turkish attacks every day. We will resist the attacks to the end. Until now, we have paid a very heavy price and we will follow in the footsteps of our children, who were martyred while defending their land.’

‘We will stay here’

“We will resist the Turkish attacks to the end,” said Fatimê Necar, who suffers from many health problems. “During the bombardment, I cannot protect myself because of the pain in my legs. Despite everything, we are determined to resist the enemy.” Fatimê Necar also pointed to the siege imposed by the Syrian government on Shahba. “We have no fuel to keep us warm.”

Necah Reşîd, another displaced woman of Afrin, said that the Turkish state targeted civilian infrastructure. “The Turkish state kills civilians. It targets civilian infrastructure across North and East Syria. Erdoğan should know very well that he cannot stop the resistance of the Kurdish people. Despite the ongoing Turkish attacks and bombardment, we will not leave Shahba; we will stay here.”