Democratic Federal System Founding Assembly member Ferhad Dêrik emphasized the attacks of ISIS and the Turkish state in Rojava’s Sheddade, Hesekê, Grê Spî and Ayn İsa regions, and said that these attacks’ target is the Rojava-North Syria Federal System.

Dêrik stated that the attacks show that ISIS is nearing its end, and the gangs were carrying out the attacks to break the siege of Manbij and show that they are not yet defeated. Dêrik noted that Manbij’s liberation was near, and Manbij Military Council members were fighting ISIS with a spirit of sacrifice. The assembly member described the liberation of Manbij as a strategic and critical step for the construction of a democratic Syria where Kurdish, Turkish, Arab, Assyrian, Circassian, Armenian and other peoples and faith groups can live freely and equally.

Ferhad Dêrik recalled the simultaneous attacks of ISIS gangs and the Turkish state on Grê Spî, and said that the attacks were related with the initiative to liberate Manbij and the Turkish state was organizing the attack on Manbij via Jarablus.

Dêrik stated that there are many documents exposing the collaboration between the Turkish state and ISIS, and the hostility of the Turkish state towards Rojava has transformed into military attacks since October 24, 2015.

Ferhad Dêrik noted that Turkey allows the movement of ISIS gangs across its borders, treats wounded jihadists, and sends arms, ammunition and logistic support in exchange for cheap oil and the smuggling of historical artifacts. Dêrik called upon the Turkish state and the AKP to stop their hostility towards Rojava, the YPG/YPJ and the QSD.

Dêrik also called upon all members of the international coalition fighting ISIS to pressure Turkey so that it ends its support to the gangs, and said that the Turkish state was furious at Operation Liberate Manbij despite its current silence on the issue.

Lastly, Dêrik said that Turkish foreign policy hit rock bottom with the initiative to liberate ISIS, and the convergence of Russia and Turkey would not have an impact on Russia’s policies towards Syria and Rojava.