Arjin Dilek Öngel

News Center – Protests continue in cities across northern Kurdistan and Turkey against the attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Jihadists on the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in Aleppo, Syria.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's statements have sparked a wave of criticism after he blamed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for the escalation of clashes in Aleppo, claiming they are "a tool in the hands of Israel." At the same time, he sent messages of support to the armed groups targeting Kurdish neighborhoods, asserting that Turkey might intervene directly if necessary.

As the attacks intensify, members of the "Peace Mothers" council set out from several cities in Turkey and northern Kurdistan towards Ankara, carrying the clear slogan, "Hands off the Kurds and stop the massacres against them." They plan to hold a demonstration today, Tuesday, January 13, in front of the Syrian consulate, which will include a protest speech and a march to condemn the massacres and violations.

Kadriye Celiji, from the Mothers of Peace in Van, expressed her rejection of the attacks launched by the Syrian Interim Government on the two neighborhoods, while at the same time criticizing Turkey's position supporting those attacks. "Those behind these crimes are in reality ISIS, even if they change their names, ISIS remains ISIS. Their hands are stained with the blood of women and children, and they must stop these crimes. They do not have an ounce of conscience; a three-year-old child is left in the bitter cold, and women are forced to flee," noting that "Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan gave them cover with his statements, and if he had a conscience, he would not have supported these attacks."

Kadriye Celici explained that she had participated in marches for the victims of the massacres in Aleppo and that she would also participate in the planned protest in Ankara. "We are here for the women who were martyred in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods. We are not here for personal gain, but to stop the bloodshed," she emphasized. "This people has never harmed anyone. Their cause is their language and their existence, and they have struggled to defend their right to life and identity."

She believes that "the Kurdish cause is a cause of peace, and our goal has never been to ignite wars." She explained that "when the Kurds were forced to fight, they did so in defense of their existence, and they fought a war with honor. Yes, it is a war, but when the Kurds fight, they abide by the rules and fight with dignity, without brutality. Meanwhile, when armed groups capture the bodies of Kurdish women, they throw them from the rooftops."

For her part, Gulbaaz Mahji of the Peace Mothers said that for nearly a week, crimes against humanity have been committed against the residents of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods before the eyes of the world. "Even infants are being killed. We came out in this bitter cold, and we will continue our march no matter the cost. We march for peace. We do not want the blood of any people or any human being to be spilled. Wherever war breaks out, progress stops, no matter where that place is."

She criticized the silence of the international community, which claims to defend human rights, and said it is turning a blind eye to the crimes committed against the Kurds. "The whole world is silent. Dozens of massacres have been committed in the two besieged neighborhoods. Why this silence? These countries are ignoring what is happening and turning a blind eye to the massacres against the Kurds in order to protect their commercial interests."

 

Gülbez Mahçı addressed an appeal to the Turkish state: "If it claims to have extended a hand of peace to the Kurds, it must translate this into concrete, practical steps." She emphasized that "a peace process has been initiated under the leadership of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, and on this path, the blood of male and female fighters will not be shed." She explained, "We appeal to Ankara on behalf of all Kurds for peace, and we also call upon the mothers of the male and female fighters and the police to go to the Ministry of Justice in Ankara to demand peace, because it is the only way to end the tragedies."

She also sent a message to all peoples, saying, "Massacres are being committed before the very eyes of those who claim to be Muslims. Where are their voices? Why this silence? There must be urgent action for the residents of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods. They have not coveted your lands, nor have they attacked you."

Baran Baki of the “Peace Mothers” in Jafar also pointed out that those who were killed or kidnapped “call out ‘Allahu Akbar’ and then kill Asayish members and throw them off buildings. We do not accept this brutality,” noting that “for a year now, there has been talk of peace in Turkey, and we also want peace, but we want it for every part and every place. This arduous journey that we are undertaking is for the sake of peace.”