National Front activists have emphasized that success has been achieved through unity and confirmed that the human shield action is sending a message throughout the political scene. The activists added that indeed political circles should show the same response young people did.

National Front member and PUK deputy Salar Mahmut was among a number of writers, activists, religious activists, politicians who spoke to Roj News about the human shields action launched to counter Turkish invasion of Qandil.

National Front activist Shirin Ebdulvelid: As National Front Against Occupation, we are in Qandil together with non-governmental organizations and political circles to reject the Turkish state’s attempt to occupy Kurdistan. As we said before, we reiterate that we will resist the Turkish occupation and not submit to the occupation.

The realization of the Kurdish national congress is imperative. It is the responsibility and duty for everyone in such a process.

Call for Kurdistan unity and struggle

National Front Press spokesperson Bexal Namis: We are here to respond to the attack against our country and our people. The Iraqi Government is obliged to protect the borders of its own country. We urge Kurdistan people to unite and fight together.

Kurdistan gains are under attack

The need for a national unity does not need to be discussed. It just needs to happen. In such a process no matter which part of Kurdistan is attacked, we need to stand up against this. The attacks against Bashurê (Southern) Kurdistan are actually an attack against the gains of all Kurdistan, they are not against the PKK.

Human shield action important

We support the human shield action carried out by Kurdish young people. We find it successful. The national sentiments of our young people should rise even further; all parts of Kurdistan, and especially Bashurê Kurdistan, should get on their feet and be more active and organized.

Systematic murders carried out by the Turkish state

Kurdistan Region Parliament PUK deputy Salar Mahmut: The occupying Turkish state is carrying out a systematic murder policy in Bakurê (Northern) Kurdistan. They occupied Afrin in Rojava and now they are attempting an invasion of Bashurê Kurdistan. These occupation operations are against international law and in violation of the Turkish and Federal Republic of Iraq constitutions.

The international community should also formally state that the Turkish operation is violating the borders of Bashurê Kurdistan, both by air and land. Bashurê Kurdistan and Iraqi governments and parliaments should take an active stance against this occupation.

The people of Bashurê and the people of Qandil want peace and freedom, not war.

The Kurdish question cannot be solved with war and violence

The Kurdish question must be solved in the parliament through a political process in Turkey. It cannot be solved by war and violence. The Kurdish people are a folk known for its resistance.

National Unity is a need for Kurds

The national unity has been a topic of constant concern to poetry, novels, and music. Now it has to happen in practice. This is the time.

United, Kurds can be successful. Our success would mean peace in the Middle East. If the occupiers are united and attacking us, we must unite and respond to them. We should not allow any state to enter the territory of Kurdistan.

Qandil is heaven on earth

Qandil is heaven on earth. Qandil is not the place where the Turkish state will bomb and destroy; it should be the place where tourists come and travel.

Political circles should act like the human shields

We have a patriotic youth in our country. Just as it happened centuries ago, young people are now leading this way. The success of the Kobanê resistance is a success claimed by the four parts of Kurdistan’s young women and men. Like it was the 58 days resistance in Afrin.

When DAESH was attacking Kirkuk and Bashurê Kurdistan we officially asked for assistance from the Turkish state but they did not come. The peshmerga, the guerrillas and the YPG fought against the brutality of DAESH.

It was the young people of these lands. For us there is no difference between Afrin, Amed, Qamishlo, Kirkuk, and Mahabad. The human shield action shows the strength of our youth and sends everyone a message. To political circles it says, be like your youth. Because success will come with unity.