People of Qandil objected to Turkey’s desire to participate in Mosul operation and said "Just like how it protects us in Shengal, Maxmur and Kirkuk, the PKK will protect us in Mosul too."

Below are the statements the people of Qandil made to ANF:

“IT IS KURDISH FORCES TO DEFEND SOUTH KURDISTAN”

Köstan Hesen: On behalf of the people of Qandil, I would like to emphasize that we do not consent to the Turkish state’s entering South Kurdistan. Turkey’s desire to enter Mosul is part of its dirty plans on South Kurdistan. They are trying to divide and conquer Kurdistan in the same way they did in history. However, as the people we will not allow this.

Now that guerrillas and peshmerga are fighting together on the same front today, they cando the same also in Mosul. It is Kurdish forces, not the Turkish state, that will defend South Kurdistan. Those who liberated Shengal and Rojava can also liberate Mosul. If the Turkish state cared about the people of South Kurdistan, they would not have bombarded Qandil or carried out the massacres in Zergelê and Kortek. How can the Turkish state, which has destroyed people’s homes here, care for people’s freedom? Therefore, I call upon the people of South Kurdistan to raise their voices against Turkey, which can only be an occupant force here."

“KDP SHOULD NOT BE AN ACCOMPLICE TO THE OCCUPATION”

Husen Hesen Xıdır: As a citizen of South Kurdistan, I do not want the Turkish State to participate in Mosul operation. We will no consent to this occupation to which KDP should not be an accomplice. As far as I can see, no person in South Kurdistan would like to see this. We also criticize the KDP; it should side with the people as opposed to their enemy. The Turkish state aims to wage a war against PKK forces in Kirkuk, Shengal and Maxmur as well. They hope to strengthen their position in South Kurdistan and wage a war against the guerrillas. How could Turkey, who is hostile to Kurds in South Kurdistan and everywhere else, want the freedom of the people of Mosul? We do not consent to this.

“TURKEY WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR KURDS WITHOUT EXPECTING SOMETHING IN RETURN”

Musa Mıhemed Xıdır: As the people of Qandil, we oppose Turkey’s desire to participate in Mosul operation. Turkey’s goal is occupation and they will not do anything for Kurdish people without expecting something in return. History has shown this, and Mosul is the most recent example. The Turkish state cares more about ruling over Mosul than the freedom of the people of there. I would like to call upon Kurdish forces to not allow Turkey’s participation. Kurdish forces are the only ones to defend Kurdistan. We have witnessed this many times. Turkish forces refuse to leave the places where they had come for training purposes. They are occupying those lands, and would do the same in Mosul. PKK has been the only force to protect us from ISIS and should take its place in Mosul operation as well. Just like how it protects us in Shengal, Maxmur and Kirkuk, the PKK will protect us in Mosul too.