Arjin Dilek Öngel

Amed – The targeting of the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in Aleppo by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists and Turkish-backed mercenaries left behind bloody scenes. Despite the intensity of the attacks, the residents of the two neighborhoods stood united, refusing to surrender or leave their homes. This display of unwavering collective will and determination to remain and defend their land and dignity was a testament to their resilience.

Despite the bloody attacks, the residents of the area demonstrated an unbreakable will. With the partial truce that followed the attacks, the wounded and the bodies of the martyrs were evacuated in a procession that expressed the dignity and steadfastness of a people who refused to be defeated and remained firm on their land, clinging to their right to life and freedom.

Rûçem Vefa Elyakut, co-chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in Amed, stated that the current events represent a "historic turning point for the Kurds," emphasizing the need for organized resistance against the attacks. "The Kurds constitute a significant force in the Middle East, and therefore they are targeted in every region where they live," she said.

She stressed the importance of raising a strong, collective voice against the massacres in Aleppo, noting that popular and organizational action will be crucial in shaping the future. "The aim of the recent attacks is to undermine the organization demonstrated by women in North and East Syria and to dismantle the power embodied by the women's revolution there," she said, adding that this revolution has become a beacon inspiring women worldwide, and that the slogan "Jin Jiyan Azadî" (Freedom and Freedom) is no longer just words, but has transformed into a global cry of resistance, spreading the spirit of struggle and freedom everywhere.

Rûçem Vefa Elyakut stated that ISIS, which changed its name today to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, continues its attacks. “We clearly see how this extremist ideology trembles before the strength of the organization achieved by women. They are trying to prove their existence by eliminating women, because they have become a symbol of life and freedom. The scene of throwing the body of a woman who was defending her neighborhood from one of the buildings is nothing but blatant evidence of their deep fear of the will of women.”

The Danger of ISIS's Resurgence

Commenting on the large-scale, simultaneous operations launched against ISIS in December 2025 across 15 provinces, targeting 108 different locations, Rûçem Vefa Elyakut emphasized the seriousness of the threats still posed by these organizations. "They do not hesitate to commit massacres, whether inside or outside the country," she said, adding that "the reports circulating about some ISIS members and their families obtaining Turkish citizenship have deepened fears and sparked public anxiety."

She continued, "Granting citizenship to ISIS members, and then releasing them after only a few years of detention, raises serious questions about their involvement in the attacks that targeted neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria. Turkey should have shouldered its historical responsibility and stood against the massacres being committed against the Kurdish people there."

She believes that the call for "peace and a democratic society" launched by leader Abdullah Öcalan offers a vision capable of establishing peace for the peoples of the Middle East, and that the success of this call requires every Kurd and every person in Turkey to shoulder their historical responsibilities. "As Sirri Süreyya Önder pointed out, even if the Kurds were fighting the devil, there are those who would choose to stand with the devil. This deafening silence only opens the door to new massacres," she emphasized, adding that current reactions are insufficient, as children and women are being killed there, and all women in Turkey should be concerned. "These threats are not targeting Kurds alone; they could extend tomorrow to other cities within Turkey."

She explained, "What is happening in Aleppo could be repeated here, and there is no guarantee against it. While we strive to build a democratic society, Kurds are being killed right next to us. Why do we remain silent? Is injustice against Kurds not considered injustice? Why do we differentiate between victims? The Turkish state's silence on these attacks contradicts the values ​​of brotherhood that it seeks to build."

Rûçem Vefa Elyakut addressed an appeal to all the peoples of Turkey and women, stressing that the current stage requires a collective stance that transcends narrow affiliations and identities. “We must raise our voices against these injustices and massacres, far from any national or sectarian considerations, and in light of the democratic model put forward by leader Abdullah Öcalan, we must take practical steps to support and strengthen this path, because it is the true way to build a society where peace and justice prevail.”