ISIS gangs have fired a total of six mortar shells on the border village of Etmanek, bordering Kobanê, where thousands of people are holding vigil in solidarity with the ongoing resistance in the besieged town against attacks concentrated since 15 September. Both the attacks and the fighting with YPG/YPJ forces have got heavier in the last three days.

In face of the ongoing and intensifying attacks of ISIS gangs on the village of Etmanek, which is located only 10 km to the Suruç district of Urfa province, DBP executives have enabled the evacuation of the majority of the people joining the vigil from the village.

Many others who continue to remain in areas near the village have in the meantime been attacked by Turkish troops with intense tear gas and pressurized water. Soldiers were also supported by police forces in the crackdown against the people in the region. Even those leaving the area in their cars were targeted in the brutal intervention by security forces.

Large numbers of people who have remained stranded in the villages around have been surrounded with armored vehicles. Some villagers say they will not leave their houses. The youths are resisting to the attack of troops with stones.

Turkish soldiers are seen to be stretching the rules of engagement against the gangs, forcing the people to evacuate the region and guarding only themselves against ISIS attacks, with some taking shelter in safer areas to protect themselves from the mortar shells fired by ISIS.

The local people and demonstrators joining the resistance vigil in the Etmanek village have been evacuated by the DBP executives to the hilly terrain behind the village. After the evacuation of the people, reportedly for safety reasons, executives and elected representatives of the DBP have started vigil in the village.

One of the mortar shells that hit a house in the village has left four people, including two children, injured today.

The tent city established by AFAD for refugees from Kobanê, in an area next to the village, has also been evacuated by officials. Press workers have also been forced to leave the area by Turkish troops.

On the other hand, Turkish troops have in the same way attacked the people joining the vigil in the village of Dewşen. After surrounding thousands of people from two sides, soldiers started an attack using intense tear gas without any warning before intervention.

The attack of troops and the response of youths in and around the village is continuing.