EBÎR MUHEMED

Qamishlo- The attacks launched by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Turkish-backed faction, on the Syrian cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs on November 27, 2024 continue. For two days, the HTS has intensified its attacks on Tell Rifaat, Shahba and the Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo. On Monday, the Peoples’ Assembly of Afrin/Shahba issued a written statement, announcing that they decided to evacuate civilians in the areas besieged by the Turkish-backed factions in order to “protect civilians from a possible massacre”. The Afrin Liberation Forces keep fighting the factions. In 2018, 200,000 displaced people of Afrin fled from the Turkish attacks on Afrin and settled in Shahba.

‘Ruling systems target the revolution in Rojava’

In an interview with NuJINHA, Rîhan Loqo, Spokesperson of Kongra Star in northeastern Syria, drew attention to the crises in the Middle East and the world. “Ruling systems target the revolution in Rojava Kurdistan because it influences people all around the world,” she said, adding: “The Rojava Revolution started 12 years ago, led by women, youth and all the people of North and East Syria. The system based on democracy in North and East Syria has become a role model for the whole world.”

Armed factions have carried out attacks in North and East Syria with the support of the Turkish state, Rîhan Loqo stressed. “For several years, they have tried to annihilate the people of the region, especially the Kurdish people. They now attack Aleppo. We know that they aim to annihilate the people of North and East Syria. The Turkish state has targeted our region for several years. The members of these factions were trained to occupy the region.”

 ‘Their main aim is to destroy the system’

Recalling the occupation attacks on Afrin, Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ayn) and Girê Spî (Tell Abyad), Rîhan Loqo said, “History repeats itself. The displaced people now face a new wave of forced displacement. Their main aim is to destroy the system of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and leave the Syrian crisis unsolved, invade the Syrian territories and legitimize it.”

‘We condemn the international silence against these crimes’

The people of Shahba,Tell Rifaat, and Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods have had no food and water for two days. “They (Armed factions) force people to leave their homes. The members of the factions share videos on social media platforms, showing how they attack women. They also inflict violence against civilians. We condemn the international silence against these crimes. People all around the world should raise their voices against the attacks.”

‘We will keep fighting despite all the difficulties’

Rîhan Loqo called on the international community not to forget the sacrifices and resistance of the people of North and East Syria. “Our people keep fighting and people all around the world must support them to defeat the factions. Our daughters and youth saved the world from terrorism.  We defend ourselves and will keep fighting despite all the difficulties.”