Shengal – Since January 6, brutal attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) affiliated gangs and the Turkish state have been ongoing on the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiya. The residents of these neighborhoods are demonstrating historic resistance to these attacks. Kurds in all four parts of Kurdistan and around the world have risen up in protest against the attacks and violations against civilians, demanding that the international community take action.

The goal is the extermination of the Kurds

Journalist Nujin Yazidi from Shengal condemned the attacks, noting that the perpetrators are the same ones who attacked the Yazidis in Shengal in 2014. “These attacks on Aleppo neighborhoods are a continuation of attacks that occurred ten years ago. The leaders of the Syrian Interim Government are mercenaries affiliated with ISIS. When you look at them, you see that they are the same people, and the brutal attacks on people and the massacres they commit are clear evidence of this.”

She explained that with these attacks, it has become abundantly clear that "these mercenaries do not want peace in Syria," noting that the attacks continue brutally, but "we are witnessing resistance from the people, from the youngest to the oldest, against these attacks. In fact, the people are waging an unprecedented resistance."

Nujin Yazidi emphasized that "the Turkish state is the one paving the way for these attacks," explaining that the attacks "remind us of the attacks on Rojava and Sinjar in 2014, in which the Turkish state participated. The Turkish occupation carried out its attacks under the name and banner of ISIS, and the goal was clear: the extermination of the Kurds. The goal remains the same today in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods."

She further elaborates that "the Turkish state, through Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is launching its attacks and massacres in full view of the world. Despite the positive steps taken in the peace process through what Abdullah Öcalan proposed, the Turkish state is launching its attacks under another pretext."

She appealed to all Yazidis to rise up and defend themselves: "We reaffirm our support for Aleppo. We will do our utmost, if necessary, until the end, and we will stand by our people."

A New Chapter in the Resistance

Journalist Berivan Chia expressed her dismay at the current situation: "I strongly condemn the brutal attacks launched by HTS, especially these attacks and massacres perpetrated against civilians. In reality, the aggressor is the Turkish state."

She added, "A fierce war is raging there now, and our people are resisting to the end. We are following closely, and today we are witnessing a new chapter in the resistance of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods. These gangs are barbaric and inhumane. No law of war permits the bombing of hospitals, yet these jihadists have been shelling hospitals in those neighborhoods since yesterday, and the wounded are still receiving treatment there."

She emphasized, "So far, the people are still resisting and have not abandoned their positions. The enemy is resorting to every means. But the enemies of the Kurds should know very well that they will not be able to break the people's resistance. We, as Yazidi women journalists, strongly condemn these attacks."