RONÎDA HACÎ

Hasakah- The Turkish state has intensified its attacks on North and East Syria since October 5. In the attacks, the Turkish state targets critical infrastructure, civilians including women and children. Mezqeft, Sivan and Jal Agha dams were also targeted in the attacks. About 12,500 acres of agricultural land were irrigated using water from these dams and about 400 farmers earned a living from agricultural lands. In addition, cotton fields in rural areas of Dirbêsiyê were also targeted by the Turkish state. NuJINHA spoke to Zîlan Ehmed, head of the Agriculture and Irrigation Authority in Hasakah, about the ongoing Turkish attacks on the region.

‘Women have been targeted’

 Zîlan Ehmed pointed out that women have been targeted in the attacks. “The economy of North and East Syria is based on agriculture. By attacking the agricultural lands, the Turkish state aims to attack the economy of the region. Many of the farmers in the region are women. So, we can say that women have been targeted in the attacks.”

‘The people will defeat the occupation by rebuilding their life’

Speaking about the 12-year Syrian war, she said, “The people of North and East Syria chose to resist. Everyone knows that the people of North and East Syria have been in the middle of the war for 12 years. For 12 years, they have been resisting despite all the difficult living conditions. They suffer from not only attacks but also an economic crisis. Since October 5, the Turkish state has intensified its attacks to deepen the crisis. The Turkish attacks target critical infrastructure and civilians. The people will defeat the occupation by rebuilding their life.”

Call on international organizations

Talking about the attacks targeting cotton fields, she said, “Women working in cotton fields were targeted by Turkish drones. The Turkish state targets female farmers because it aims to destroy the economy of the region. We call on the international human rights organizations to stop the Turkish attacks. We call them to protect civilians.”