Tevgera Azadi (Kurdistan Free Society Movement) co-chair Mıhemed Abdullah called upon the Kirkuk people to act in a more organised and disciplined way, saying: “This attack was the message of those endeavoring to occupy Kurdistan. Our people will respond to this attack with resistance and they will never accept surrender.”

Remarking that Tevgera Azadi will continue to defend the city by taking sides with Kirkuk defense forces and the people, Abdullah continued as follows: “These attacks will continue. This aggression is basically related with Turkey's plan on Mosul province and its desire to control and dominate over the Mosul province and the entire Kurdistan region. We are ready to sacrifice our lives to frustrate this plan. These attacks will never succeed as long as we exist. As Tevgera Azadi, I congratulate the people of Kirkuk and offer my condolences to the people who fell martyr.”

Abdullah pointed out that international powers have a plan on all four parts of Kurdistan, and that the ISIS attack on Kirkuk was a part of these plans.

He said the people of Kirkuk put up brave resistance and broke the attack, noting that the most beautiful scene was the guerrillas, peshmergas and people fighting together against this aggression.

Abdullah stressed that political parties should unite and act together to break these attacks, and participate in the Mosul operation under a joint command - something wanted by the people of Kirkuk as well.

He underlined that Kurds need to unite to not allow a repetition of the Lousanne and Sykes–Picot agreements, and to frustrate the plans of the Turkish state.

Tevgera Azadi executives and members took their place in the fight alongside guerrillas and peshmergas on the first day of the clashes.