PELÎN NÛPELDA

Qamishlo- The Turkish state has intensified its attacks on North and East Syria, violating international conventions and laws. Those who suffer the most from these attacks are the civilians who are subjected to the ongoing Turkish attacks. NuJINHA spoke to the members of the Council of Martyrs’ Families in Qamishlo, a city in northeastern Syria.

‘The attacks are carried out with the support of the KDP’

At the beginning of her speech, Xeyriye Hisên Xelef condemned the ongoing Turkish attacks on North and East Syria. “The Turkish state carries out brutal attacks in Rojava and other regions, openly killing civilians. Everyone remains silent against these attacks as if nothing happens. Children, women and displaced civilians are targeted by the Turkish attacks. The Turkish state attacks not only Rojava but also Southern Kurdistan (Iraqi Kurdistan). Every day, we see how attacks are carried out against our people and freedom fighters in cooperation with the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party). The attacks are carried out with the support of the KDP. The Turkish state uses chemical weapons in Kurdistan, displacing and killing civilians.”

‘We will not bow down to the occupation’

As Kurds, we need unity to resist the occupation, Xeyriye Hisên Xelef emphasized. “The Turkish state attacks everywhere and this shows the weakness and collapse of the Turkish state. As mothers of martyrs and the Kurdish people, we will not bow down to the occupation. The attacks cannot break our will. As the Kurdish people, we should rise against the attacks. All people demanding freedom and human rights organizations should take a stand against the occupation and attacks of the Turkish state.”

‘The attacks target the will of women and the Kurdish people’

The countries that support the Turkish state do not want the Kurdish people to have their rights, said Fadya Silêman, another member of the council. “Kurds are subjected to Turkish attacks every day. We grew up in the midst of displacement, oppression and difficult living conditions due to the attacks, occupations and lootings of the Turkish state. Due to the Turkish attacks, many children, women and elderly people are deprived of their right to life, losing their arms and legs. The attacks target the will of women and the Kurdish people.”

‘We will resist and struggle’

We will resist and struggle to the end, Fadya Silêman stressed, adding, “There is an international hypocrisy and betrayal against us, Kurds. We know that the states that act as if they are on our side also support the Turkish state. Neither history nor the Kurdish people will forget this betrayal. As mothers of martyrs, we do not accept either the conspiracy or the occupation. We will resist and struggle to the end and follow in the footsteps of our martyrs.”