As the ISIS attacks on Kobanê continue after 40 days, PYD Co-President Asya Abdullah, who has been in Kobanê  from the beginning of these attacks, said ISIS is constantly bringing up reinforcements, and that fighting has intensified in Kobanê in the last few days. She added that the 40-day resistance was a resistance for humanity, and that effective support from democratic forces and the coalition was necessary.

Asya Abdullah commented on the Free Syrian Army (FSA) decision to fight in Kobanê, saying talks were continuing between the YPG and FSA and that the YPG would issue a statement in the coming days. PYD Co-President pointed out that they had had a positive political attitude to military and political forces fighting for democratisation in Syria since the start of the revolution, adding: “We consider the FSA’s decision to support the Kobanê resistance a positive one. How this will be implemented will be decided after dialogue between the YPG and FSA.”

Asya Abdullah said she was also pleased by the decision of the Parliament in South Kurdistan to send peshmerga to Kobanê, adding that the peshmerga had yet to arrive and that this was being discussed by the YPG and Peshmerga.

Abdullah who also reiterated her appeal for a humanitarian corridor to be opened urgently said ISIS was bringing in reinforcements and weapons from nearby towns and called for the coalition to make effective interventions to prevent this.

PYD Co-President Asya Abdullah answered ANF's questions on the latest developments in the resistance in Kobanê.

As you know, the FSA announced 3 days ago that it has assembled a force of 1,300 fighters in Aleppo and wants to come to Kobanê to fight. Were you consulted about this? How do you evaluate this decision?

As regards the FSA our stance has been clear from the start of the revolution. As a party which has a project for the democratisation of Syria our attitude to parties involved in political struggle and military forces fighting for the future of Syria has been apparent. The YPG has relations with the FSA. It developed contacts with them in Serêkanîyê. In the resistance since 15 September an alliance has been formed with the FSA and Burkan Al Fırat and their fighters and the YPG fighters have fought and died side by side. As this is a military matter it is for the YPG to deal with. A YPG commander was interviewed today by ANF and the YPG’s general position was explained. The YPG and FSA will discuss how the FSA force will come and how it will be deployed.

Politically, how do you evaluate this decision?

Politically we are not opposed to any group. We welcome any force that wants to support the resistance in Kobanê. We want to be in alliance with any force that concurs with our democratisation project. The FSA is already fighting with us. As YPG/YPJ commander Meysa Ebdo said in her interview, the FSA can fight ISIS in Manbij, Jarablus and other towns controlled by ISIS.  

The South Kurdistan parliament decided to send peshmerga to support the resistance in Kobanê. It was said that a force of 200 would come with their weapons. How do you assess this decision?

The peshmerga have not yet arrived. Dialogue is continuing with the YPG. We consider it positive for Kuredish forces to join the resistance in Kobanê. The Kurdish forcews will resist together in harmony as they have done in Sinjar.

Have the air strikes by the coalition forces made a contribution to your resistance? Will the arms support continue?

We consider this to be very positive and hope it will continue.

Are these airdrops sufficient or is there still a need for a corridor?  

Airdrops have made a contribution to the YPG’s resistance to the ISIS gang attacks. But of course it is not sufficient. Our demand for a land corridor has strategic importance as regards breaking down the attacks on Kobanê, which has been under an embargo for a year. There is still an urgent need for a corridor that would facilitate the movement of civilians, humanitarian aid, international monitors and NGOs, and those who want to join the resistance, and as a whole to ensure needs are met. A corridor should definitely be opened under the auspices of the UN. People must raise their voices and express this demand more loudly, as in recent days fighting has intensified and a corridor would make a significant contribution in repulsing these attacks.

Two days ago ISIS attacked civilians near the border at Tel Shair. Wouldn’t a corridor also be important for the safety of thousands of civilians stranded at the border?

Absolutely. A corridor would prevent loss of life by facilitating medical intervention. A corridor is needed for humanitarian reasons in particular. All three of our hospitals have been destroyed by the ISIS gangs.

We have heard that ISIS has been receiving reinforcements in recent days. What can you say about this?

It is true. Reinforcements and weapons have come from places such as Rakka, Manbij and Jarablus. We know they have brought the vehicles they have detonated in Kobanê from these places. Attacks have intensified in the last 3 days. The YPG/YPJ forces and FSA fighters are putting up a heroic resistance.

Are the coalition forces not taking action against these reinforcements? Shouldn’t they be intervening?

We consider the coalition support to be important for the resistance, but more effective interventions are needed. The heavy weaponry of the gangs needs to be destroyed.

What do you mean by more effective intervention?

All the military equipment, tanks, artillery, shells and bomb-laden vehicles come from Manbij, Jarablus and Rakka. The coalition needs to make effective strikes on these routes.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The conflict has intensified in recent days. Clashes have intensified in the eastern neighbourhoods of the town. The YPG and FSA fighters are continuing their resistance, which is a resistance for the peoples of the region and for all humanity. More effective support from the coalition and democratic forces is necessary. We can say that the situation is critical and awareness should be raised.