SÎLVA EL-ÎBRAHÎM

Manbij- The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Manbij Military Council liberated Manbij from ISIS on August 15, 2016. After the liberation of the city, Turkey took the control of Al-Bab, Idlib, Azaz and Jarabulus. August 24 marks the anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Syrian territory. NuJINHA interviewed the Future Syria Party Idlib Council Spokesperson Hala Hemîco about the ongoing Turkish attacks.

“It embraces terrorism”

Why did Turkey quickly launch operations into Syria after the liberation of Manbij? What did it aim to attack?

Since 2011, when the Syrian Revolution began, the Turkish state has launched military intervention into Syria by claiming that its aim is to liberate the Syrian people and that it is a supporter of the Syrian Revolution. However, its aim was actually to occupy Syrian territory. Its intervention led to a long-term crisis. The Turkish state has used armed factions in order to preserve its presence in Syria. After the liberation of Manbij, the Turkish state launched a military operation in fear that the SDF would liberate the areas held by armed factions. It deployed its armed factions in Al-Bab, Idlib and Azaz. The Turkish army and the Free Syrian Army entered Al-Bab, Idlib, Azaz and Jarabulus cities, which had been controlled by ISIS. This situation shows that there is an agreement between both parties (Turkish state and Free Syrian Army) and confirms that the Turkish state supports ISIS in Syria. Turkey attacked Syrian territory because it feared the end of ISIS. The international coalition killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi in the area controlled by Turkey. The killing of ISIS leader in the area occupied by Turkey is the most concrete evidence showing that Turkey embraces terrorism.

“Turkey uses factions”

How does Turkey use armed factions to hide its direct intervention into Syria?

The Turkish state uses armed factions for the Turkification of the region. In the areas occupied by Turkey, Turkish language is taught and Turkish lira is used. Turkey uses the armed factions for its dirty plans, never uses its soldiers in the war.

“Women are deprived of their fundamental rights”

How is the situation of women living in cities such as Al-Bab, Idlib and Azaz?

The situation of women living in Al-Bab, Idlib and Azaz is very bad. These women are deprived of their fundamental rights. There is no difference between of the occupation of Turkey and ISIS because women are still killed, abducted and rape and girls are forced into child marriage.

“Next generation will be affected”

What kind of effects does the Turkish occupation have on Azaz, Al-Bab and Idlib?

The entire society has been negatively affected by the looting, kidnapping and rape of the armed factions. The thought they impose on the people will affect the future of peoples and the next generation. The next generation will be affected by this occupation.

“Stop supporting Turkey”

What is expected from the international community to end Turkey's policy on Syrian territory?

As political parties in North and East Syria, young people of Idlib, we must stand against the practices of Turkey. We will not allow Turkey to enter our region because they (Turkey) are invaders and terrorists. They carry out a policy to depopulate the region. They continue to commit rights violations in North and East Syria. The international community must end the violations of the Turkish occupation. Countries that support Turkey should stop supporting it because Turkey commits war crimes by targeting civilians, particularly women and children.