The Turkish state's attacks and bombings against the regions of North-East Syria have recently increased. The Turkish state granted control of Afrin to the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham group and continues its threats of invasion against other regions.

Evîn Swêd, representative of the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria in Sulaymaniyah, made evaluations about the Turkish invasion attacks and their results. Swêd reminded that a democratic system was formed under the leadership of women in Afrin Canton and hundreds of thousands of people who fled war zones migrated to Afrin and led a peaceful life.

Swêd said: “However, in 2018, the Turkish state launched an invasion attack on Afrin with the support of international forces. Thousands of people who settled down there supported the Autonomous Administration, their lands and houses. A 58-day resistance was displayed that would amaze the whole world. After the invasion of the Turkish state, Turkey-backed mercenary groups and their families were settled down in Afrin.”

Swêd added: “They plundered everything from olive trees to the holy places of the Yazidis, the Christians and the people of the region. The people of Afrin are subjected to all kinds of torture and violence, including abuse of women and children, robbery and corruption. Although all of these were reported, no one was held accountable. Reports confirmed that the goods/products of the people of Afrin were sold to different companies in Kuwait and several other Arab countries. Moreover, housing estates are being built for mercenaries and their families in Afrin. Women and children are subjected to torture and attacks the most. Hundreds of women were tortured in prisons and the fate of many other women still remains unknown. Hundreds of thousands of mercenaries have settled down in Afrin, and their murders, threats, looting and corruption have been continuing.”

Returning home

Swêd maintained that the people of Afrin never lost their hope of returning to their lands despite everything. She also talked about the occupation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS): “Dozens of different mercenary groups have been deployed in Afrin. Since Afrin was occupied, these mercenary groups have been fighting each other. Wars are waged only for booty, plunder and theft. The HTS is also considered as an invading force by the people of the region. Barbarian practices in Afrin have been documented from the very beginning.”

Swêd added: “The HTS has been reinforced as part of the Turkish state's plan. Some other groups protested the Turkish state for the backing of the HTS. Turkey sought to control all mercenary groups with the help of the HTS. They may regroup, strengthen and organize their troops for a possible attack on North-East Syria. This will pose a serious danger to North-East Syria.

There have already been reconciliation talks between Turkey and Syria. Intelligence services of both countries held meetings. The Turkish state has done everything to eradicate the Rojava revolution. The recent rapprochement with Turkey will not serve the Syrian people and their interests. Turkey's aim is to destroy the achievements of the peoples and to carry out further massacres.”

All citizens demand a democratic Syria

Swêd also addressed the talks between the Autonomous Administration and Damascus. “The Autonomous Administration can be an example for the whole of Syria. A common life can be established where all citizens and faith groups co-exist. The talks between the Autonomous Administration and Damascus may not have yielded the desired result so far. This depends on the Autonomous Administration and some international parties that promote a rapprochement. The negotiations would soon bring results and a democratic Syria would emerge. All Syrians demand a country where everyone has equal rights.”

Swêd continued: “Everyone is preparing for new wars. Many countries may be involved in wars. The people of North-East Syria are preparing for a serious war. There is an enemy who insists on extermination. This war could spread to the whole region. Let's not be a victim of this war, let's not be killed in a genocide like the Armenians in 1915. In order not to become victims of the 21st century, we must preserve and perpetuate our achievements. We can win only through unity and solidarity.”