SILVA ÎBRAHÎM

Manbij- The city of Manbij, located in northeastern Syria, is one of the cities most subjected the brutality of ISIS. 78-year-old Şemsa El-Yusif, whose son was killed in Manbij by ISIS in 2014, told us that they would not allow ISIS to return to their region under the guise of the Turkish state since they already witnessed the brutality of ISIS.

“My son was arrested because he fought for the freedom of people”

Drawing attention to the massacres committed by ISIS in northeastern Syria in 2014, Şemsa El-Yusif said, “ISIS raided our house and broke everything in the house. They arrested my son Silêman Mihemed. He was 30 years old and the father of two children. My son was arrested because he fought for the freedom of people. They raided our house at night and did not allow my son even to wear his clothes and battered him.”

“His dead body was hanged on the street for four days”

Speaking about the arrest of her son, she said, “The arrest of my son was unjust. They broke the bones of my son. My son suffered from many diseases after being tortured for 10 months. We went to the prison to visit him but we were not allowed to talk to him. My son was transferred from one prison to another. After 10 months, they killed my son. His dead body was hanged on the street for four days.”

“He had a chance to escape, but he thought of his brother”

Şemsa El-Yusif, whose eyes filled with tears while speaking about her son as if she were living those moments again. “Once, the coalition forces launched an operation on several prisons and my son had a chance to escape from the prison. However, my son sacrificed himself for fear of the arrest of his brother. During that period, 27 people were killed in Manbij and a person was hanged at each square. My son and 27 people were killed after Kobanê was liberated from ISIS. They killed our children because they were afraid of being defeated.”

“Everyone suffered from the brutality of ISIS”

Speaking about the persecution pursued by ISIS against the people of Manbij, Şemsa El-Yusif said, “Everyone, including women, children, young people, old people and even dead people suffered from the brutality of ISIS. There was a house of ISIS next to our house. Women were forced into marriage with ISIS members and then other ISIS members.”

“We will not allow ISIS to return”

Commenting about Turkey's threats against Manbij and Tell Rifaat, Şemsa El-Yusif said, “We will not allow ISIS to return to our region under the guise of the Turkish state. Now, we are free. We were reborn after being liberated. The Turkish state wants to commit massacres against us. Not only me, but all people in Manbij want to have a free life and now everyone lives freely in the city.”