BERÇEM CUDİ

Kobanî - Three years have passed since the liberation of the town of Baghouz (Baxoz), the last area under the control of ISIS. On March 23, 2019, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the liberation of the town. And thus, ISIS was cleared from the region after conflicts lasting seven years.  Emine Bekir, deputy co-chair of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration in the Euphrates region, spoke to NuJINHA on the 3rd anniversary of the liberation of the town of Baxoz from ISIS.

Emine Bekir began to talk by commenting on the Syrian crisis. “11 years have passed since the Syrian crisis started. People took to the streets to build a democratic and equal system. During the uprising, as the peoples of the north and east, we chose the third way to protect our lands and values. However, no solution has been found to determine the fate of the Syrian people until now. On the contrary, this crisis continues to deepen day by day. The Syrian regime has not changed its stance since the beginning of the revolution. Syrian opposition forces have turned into armed groups serving foreign actors. Amid these conflicts and chaos in Syria, our project in NE Syria has succeeded and our revolution has become stronger. This model is a new way and method for the whole world and women have played an important role in building a democratic and equal system in the region,” she told us.

“Liberation process started in Kobanî”

Recalling the first attacks of ISIS on the region, Emine Bekir said, “In 2013, Jabhat al-Nusra carried out a wide-range attack. In 2014, ISIS carried out attacks in Syria and Iraq. ISIS members were deployed in big cities such as Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, Tabqa, and Manbij. After taking the control of these cities, they thought that they would easily take the control of Kobanî. But the liberation progress started in Kobanî. In Kobanî, the people and fighters together defeated ISIS in front of the whole world. Then, Manbij, Tabqa, Raqqa, and finally Baxoz were liberated from ISIS. This victory was led by SDF, YPJ, and YPG. The fighters dedicated their victories, their successes in Baxoz to all the peoples of NE Syria and to the world.”

“Turkey supports ISIS”

Pointing out that ISIS members should be prosecuted, Emine Bekir also stated that the threat continues. “ISIS was defeated in the region but the threat continues. Meanwhile, the Turkish state directly supports ISIS for its revival in the region. The attack on al-Sina'a prison proves that. The aim of the attack was to take the control of NE Syria. If the plan of ISIS had come true; it would have a negative impact on Syria and the whole world. But our forces repulsed this attack.”

“The international community should fulfill its responsibilities”

Stating that the international community and all authorities must fulfill their responsibilities against ISIS in the refugee camps and prisons, Emine Bekir said, “An international tribunal should be established to prosecute ISIS members. ISIS members in NE Syria pose a grave threat to global security. SDF has already fulfilled its responsibilities and paid great prices. Now, the international community should fulfill its responsibilities. ISIS members should be prosecuted.”