Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) commander Nesrîn Abdullah held a press conference via Zoom with the participation of international journalists to assess the latest situation in Kobanę.
Abdullah evaluated the escalating attacks in Kobanę and Rojava, the severity of the humanitarian situation, and the risk of possible new interventions.
Referring to the difficult period faced by the people of Rojava and Kobanę, Abdullah said: “I am in Kobanę. Everyone knows that we are going through a very difficult process. Rojava and the Kurdish people are passing through an extremely hard period. A difficult process is unfolding in Syria.
These attacks are not only directed at the Kurdish people but at the dreams of democracy, justice, and freedom of all the peoples of Syria. Now we are facing an even more severe situation. In Rojava, in Cizîrę, and in Kobanę, a very harsh process is underway. Afrin and Serękaniyę are already under Turkish occupation, and the situation there is even worse. In this process, as the Kurdish people, we are under political, military, and moral attack. These attacks have deeply affected the hope for coexistence in Syria. Since 2011, our struggle has been for a life in Syria where everyone can live, where democracy is established, and where all differences can live with dignity, reconciled with their identities, beliefs, and histories. A dirty politics is being carried out. Our comrades are defending our people in every field.”
Risk of humanitarian catastrophe
Pointing out that attacks have intensified around Kobanę, Nesrîn Abdullah said: “Kobanę is a small geographical area, disconnected from Cizîrę. This city, which cannot receive sufficient support, is seen by the enemy as an opportunity and has become the target of attacks. The front line is currently in Sirrin, and clashes are very intense. The distance between Sirrin and Kobanę is a 30-kilometer line with many villages along it. Out of fear of massacre, people have fled their villages and taken refuge in the center of Kobanę. This concentration will lead to serious humanitarian problems.”
Stating that clashes continue intensely, and that armed groups are not complying with ceasefire rules, Abdullah shared the following information: “The situation at the front is this: they are attacking relentlessly with heavy weapons, all kinds of Turkish arms, and technical support. Thousands of armed gang members have been brought in. These groups, which moved together with ISIS at its outset, are now reappearing with ISIS flags and emblems and attacking us. Those who claim to be ‘Syrians’ are attacking the Syrian people and the Kurds. What are they conquering in their own country? They are attacking with every kind of dirty war tactic and heavy weaponry. Their aim is genocide and massacre. It is not only a military attack; they have cut off water, cut off electricity. They have blocked all roads to Kobanę. Food stocks are running out. Snowfall is expected. Where and how will the people coming from villages find shelter? Under these attacks, the world public must know the truth.”
Stating that an international conspiracy is being carried out over Syria and especially the Kurdish people, Nesrîn Abdullah said: “They are destroying Syria, killing the reality of Syria. If the Kurdish people are defeated here, if the SDF is defeated, Syria will never be Syria again. If the Kurdish people’s struggle succeeds, it will be a gain for Syria. Today, Syrians, unfortunately somewhat late, have begun to realize this. If massacres against the Kurdish people continue, these gangs will open the door to a great catastrophe for Syria. An ISIS state is being established. All the attacks taking place today are ISIS attacks. These are attacks directed at humanity. ISIS methods have been made even more systematic, only their name has been changed to the ‘Free Syrian Army.’ So where are human rights, human dignity, and conscience? What is visible is this: an attempt is being made to create a modern ISIS.
“We began resisting in Kobanę in 2014 for the freedom of Syria and humanity. Thousands of people took refuge here. Even when we were in great hardship, our people shared everything they had with all those who came from outside. We embraced all Syrians. We did not only defeat ISIS; we built a new life. This life included everyone. Today, there are many Arab communities that oppose this barbarism and do not accept it. However, some Arab tribes became instruments of these attacks and turned hostile to our administration. Here, not only Kurds but also Armenians, Circassians, Arabs, and Syriacs are facing a massacre. They are under a massive attack.”
We are trying to protect civilians
Commander Abdullah continued: “As human beings, when we look at the images of attacks, we have difficulty believing them. They are beheading our women fighters. What kind of humanity is this? How can cutting off a woman fighter’s braid and presenting it as an achievement be considered success? How can this barbarism be described? We withdrew from many places to prevent massacres. We retreated in many areas so that civilians would not be killed. Our comrades were captured so that civilians would not be massacred. We are not like them. We could have resisted as a sacrificial force, but then massive massacres would have occurred. Because our strength does not attack civilians; it protects them.”
But today, together with the people of Kobanę, this place is our red line. We are defending it and will never make concessions. Some states praise and incite this barbarism. It is necessary to ask what they are defending: massacre or barbarism? What meaning does geography have if it is not governed by humanity and conscience? Today, immoral attacks are being carried out here. Our women fighters have been captured and marketed through videos. Can there be a greater immorality than this? We are defending humanity against this mentality. We say this clearly: honor is not in our hair or our braids; it is in our minds, our conscience, and our resistance. Our resistance is a resistance of honor.”
Commander Abdullah added: “Today, negotiations are being carried out over the honor and natural rights of the Kurdish people. We are not part of these bargains. They tell us to ‘surrender.’ To whom should we surrender? To our own executioners? A ceasefire was declared, but these gangs do not comply. Kobanę is still under heavy attack. We will not surrender. Our people will not surrender and have decided to resist. Our people, from 7 to 70, are determined to defend themselves. How can we surrender to those who massacre us and do not recognize our humanity? How can we integrate with those who sell our women in markets? What is the guarantee? What is the assurance that the promises given today will not be denied tomorrow? We are ready for all dialogue and talks for peace, on the basis of real guarantees. However, we will defend our people to the end.
“In every area the Syrian army enters, ISIS flags are being raised and spread through videos. In reality, a modern ISIS structure is being prepared. This is dangerous not only for Syria but for the entire region and the world. These beheading and massacres will take place everywhere in the world. Everyone must know what we are fighting against. States are supporting this. My call is to the world public, especially to women.”
Nesrîn Abdullah then answered questions from journalists participating in the Zoom meeting. Responding to a question about the attacks on Kobanę, she said: “The Turkish state is providing gangs with technical support and heavy weapons. Among the forces besieging Kobanę, there are ISIS connections. There are Sultan Murad, Hamza, and Ahrar al-Sharqiya groups, as well as some tribal structures. The weapons of these groups belong to the Turkish state. They want to collapse Kobanę militarily and humanely. Our comrades are being martyred in Turkish drone strikes. Two days ago, six of our comrades were martyred in drone attacks. Kobanę is being targeted not only militarily but also in humanitarian and living terms. With the seizure of the dam, water and electricity were cut off. The city is under a complete embargo. Hospitals will be left without electricity. Due to the lack of water, the risk of epidemics is increasing, and fuel and food stocks are close to being depleted. There is snowfall; civilians lack shelter and heating.”
Responding to a question about the ceasefire, Abdullah said: “Attacks are continuing. They want surreder. Calls for dialogue and solutions are being left unanswered. Without ending the attacks on Rojava and withdrawing from the occupied areas, there is no credibility. Targeting the SDF should not be seen as an attack solely on the Kurdish people; it is directed at all peoples of Syria. Alawites and Druze are being targeted; now Kurds, Armenians, Syriacs, and Arabs are also targets. The defeat of the SDF would mean the collapse of Syria.”
Evaluating Turkey’s military movements toward the Kobanę border, Abdullah stated that they have received information indicating Turkey is preparing for direct intervention and said: “Armored vehicles and soldiers have been deployed along the Suruç border. There are also images of this. These developments show that the encirclement of Kobanę is intended to be expanded and that Turkey is preparing to enter the war de facto by air and land. We call on the international community: in such a situation, tens of thousands of people would be massacred. The consequences of such an intervention would be a humanitarian disaster.”
Nesrîn Abdullah said that the US and international forces have the power to stop these attacks, but that their silence means approving the attacks.
Speaking about the role of Arab tribes in the attacks, Nesrîn Abdullah said that while there are Arab tribes in solidarity with the SDF and the Kurdish people, those who changed sides preferred a more racist and Arab-dominant approach, adding: “Some tribes, as a result of consciously pursued racist and provocative policies, changed sides and aligned with HTS and other groups against us. They are acting together with Turkey-backed groups. Yet they gave hundreds of martyrs together with the SDF. I respect the memory of those martyrs. The Autonomous Administration made great efforts to dismantle this racist attack and choice. However, some nevertheless succumbed to racism.”
Regarding the SDF forces guarding the prison in Raqqa where ISIS detainees are held, Nesrîn Abdullah said: “We have a significant force there. Our units guarding the prison are under attack with heavy weapons. Those carrying out the attack are already saying ‘ISIS members are our friends’ and demanding that we hand them over. We have files on all of them; all information is available. It is certain that they are ISIS members. Why they want them is also clear. Talks with the international coalition are ongoing.”
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