DILOVAN ASMÎN

Tishreen- The fighters of the Women's Defense Units (YPJ) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the people of North and East Syria have been waging an unprecedented resistance the attacks of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions on the Tishreen Dam since December 8, 2024.

“We are determined to achieve success,” Kurdistan Dêrik, one of the commanders of the YPJ, told NuJINHA.

Kurdistan Dêrik first commemorated those who lost their lives while defending the Tishreen Dam, the Qereqozax Bridge and the Dayr Hafir, a city in Aleppo. “We will fight to realize the dreams of our martyrs. We also salute the resistance of the people of North and East Syria, who have joined the resistance (vigil) on the Tishreen Dam. We draw our strength from our people. As the fighters of the YPJ and the SDF, we always stand with our people.”

‘The resistance has impressed women all over the world’

Commenting on the vigil on the Tishreen Dam, Kurdistan Dêrik said, “The Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions have been attacking the Tishreen Dam by using heavy weapons, warplanes and drones for more than two months. We respond to their attacks and they have to withdraw.

“The Turkish state should know very well that an unprecedented resistance led by women has been taking place in North and East Syria for 13 years. This resistance has impressed women all over the world. We have vowed to our people and our martyrs that we will fight until the last drop of blood. We are not war lovers but we will fight with all our strength if there is an attack on our existence.”

Kurdistan Dêrik told us that they fought to protect their people against the ongoing attacks of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions. “As the children of this region, our duty and responsibility is to defend our region, our homeland. The Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions have committed crimes against humanity in North and East Syria. They aim to invade our region but this region belongs to the people. We protect our people and fight against all threats against our people.”

‘No one can break the strong will of the people’

The people holding the vigil on the Tishreen Dam have a “will of steel”, Kurdistan Dêrik emphasized. “The Turkish state must know very well that it cannot invade our region because the people of North and East Syria have a will of steel. No one can break their strong will. We will continue our struggle and resistance to defend our region and protect our people. We will not allow the occupation and victory will be ours, the people of North and East Syria.”