Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) Executive Council Co-Presidency released a statement about Wednesday evening’s airstrike that targeted Self-Defense Forces of Martyr Rüstem Cudi Refugee Camp near Southern Kurdistan’s Makhmur town, killing five security members and wounding three others.

Offering condolences to the families and comrades of the martyrs and the people of Kurdistan, KCK underlined that: “The United Nations and the Iraqi government are responsible for this attack which targeted the force that protected the people of Makhmur from ISIS massacre and did not allow the invasion of Bashurê (Southern) Kurdistan. Iraqi airspace is under the control of the Iraqi state and coalition forces. No force can carry out such an attack without getting permission.”

“MAKHMUR IS THE GATE OF SOUTHERN KURDISTAN”

Recalling that Makhmur Refugee Camp was one of the first places targeted by ISIS, KCK said; “The Makhmur camp also serves as the gate of Bashurê (Southern) Kurdistan. ISIS wanted to capture here to advance on Hewler and invade Southern Kurdistan. However, the people of Makhmur resisted ISIS attacks with popular militia, self-defense forces, youth and women alike, repelled ISIS attacks and prevented the invasion of Southern Kurdistan, mounting resistance on behalf of all humanity by not allowing ISIS to pass. As would be remembered, Mr. Masoud Barzani, the President of Southern Kurdistan Federation at the time, went to Makhmur and expressed his thanks to the self-defense forces here.”

“IRAQ, UN AND COALITION ARE RESPONSIBLE”

KCK remarked that the five freedom fighters martyred by Turkish warplanes were members of Makhmur’s Self-Defense Forces that resisted against ISIS and did not allow an ISIS massacre against the people of Makhmur, thus avoiding a severe imputation being put on the United Nations, Iraqi government and Southern Kurdistan administration.

The statement continued; “An attack against such a self-defense force is an attack against all humanity. The United Nations and Iraqi government are responsible for this attack on this force that protected Makhmur people from ISIS massacre and prevented the invasion of Southern Kurdistan. Iraqi airspace is under the control of the Iraqi state and coalition forces. No force can carry out such an attack without getting permission. Whether permission was granted for this attack or not, the responsibility is of the Iraqi state and coalition forces that control this airspace. The United Nations is also responsible for not undertaking the responsibility of protection. It is also unacceptable that the UN and Iraq have not made any statement on this attack yet. Silence means complicity in this crime.

This attack manifests the fact that the people of Makhmur have no safety. Those forces are responsible for the fact that the Turkish state attacks wherever it wishes like a bandit state. That these forces take no stand against the Turkish state encourages it to commit such crimes.”

“TURKISH STATE IS HOSTILE TO ALL KURDISH PEOPLE”

KCK stressed that in the face of this attack, the Kurdish people have the right and legitimacy to resist against the Turkish state everywhere, saying; “The freedom forces of the Kurdish people will show the Turkish state that it cannot simply attack wherever it wants. The blood of these martyrs will be avenged.”

The statement continued; “The Kurdish people should see the fact that the Turkish state is hostile to our people not only in Bakurê (Northern) Kurdistan, but all the Kurdish people everywhere. Isn’t it the Turkish state that threatened the Kurdish people and conducted a joint military exercise with Iraqi troops, saying ‘What have Kurds to do in Kirkuk? I could close the gate and make them starve. We can enter everywhere if need be’ only one and a half month ago. Isn’t it the Turkish state that attacked the legitimate defense forces of Eastern Kurdistan in Asos? Isn’t it the Turkish state that threatens the Kurds in Rojava on daily basis? All these truths reveal clearly the fact that Kurds in all parts (of Kurdistan) should take a stance against the Turkish state to attain a free and democratic living.”

“THE ATTACK WILL DEFINITELY BE ANSWERED FOR”

KCK underlined that the attack on Makhmur is an attack on all the Kurdish people, and that the Kurdish people and political parties in all parts should adopt an attitude against this attack and show the Turkish state that this attack will definitely be answered for.

“Makhmur camp hosts families of martyrs, it is the camp of martyrs’ families. The attack on this camp aims to break the freedom will of the Kurdish people. All the world should know that Makhmur, the camp of martyrs’ families, is not alone. The aspiration of the freedom fighters that fell as martyrs in the attack, a free Kurdistan, will definitely become a reality,” KCK added.