YPG Commander Mahmud Berxwedan said after the peshmerga forces crossed into Kobanê they have acted like a single army, rather than in coordination. He added: “The peshmerga are endeavouring to carry out what is asked of them in a self-sacrificing way.” Mahmud Berxwedan said the peshmerga had carried out effective strikes against the ISIS gangs with the heavy weaponry they had brought with them.

Mahmud Berxwedan said that since the end of October the initiative had passed to the YPG forces and answered questions from the ANF regarding the arrival of the peshmerga, the situation of civilians and the latest state of the conflict.

What kind of coordination has there been between the peshmerga forces and yourselves after the peshmerga forces came to Kobanê?

We were delighted to welcome a Kurdish force to Kobanê. It has created national feeling throughout  Kurdistan. Relationships have developed positively. They told us they were prepared for all manner of plan and operation. They have heavy weaponry and are using these weapons effectively. We are acting more like a single army than as two forces acting in a coordinated way. The peshmerga are endeavouring to carry out what is asked of them in a self-sacrificing way. The Turkish media claims that: “Some peshmerga have deserted,” but this is a slur and part of psychological warfare. We are fighting side by side with the peshmerga. They are determined and say they are ready to bring more personnel and weaponry if needed.

“The Peshmerga’s heavy weaponry is effective”

Have there been changes in the situation in the conflict since the arrival of the peshmerga?

We have begun to see the effect of their heavy weaponry outside the town, rather than inside it. They have had a psychological effect on the enemy. Wherever they are asked they use these weapons and we would like to thank them once again.

“In the last week ISIS has suffered more losses than in the entire war”

Can we say that the initiative now rests with the YPG forces?

Since the beginning of the month the initiative has been with us. The gangs are constantly bringing in reinforcements from Rakka and other areas and even from outside Syria. In the last week alone hundreds of them have been killed, more than since the beginning of the attacks. The peshmerga’s heavy weaponry has made a significant contribution to our gaining the initiative.”

“Civilians living in harsh conditions”

What is the situation like for civilians in Kobanê?

Of course it is not good, they are living in a war environment. Every day there are explosions. ISIS attacks civilians on a daily basis. We are now in winter and there is no electricity or water and they are living in tents.

Today on the western front you launched a joint operation against ISIS gangs with the FSA and peshmerga. Is this operation continuing?

This operation was carried out by the Defence Units consisting of the FSA, peshmerga and YPG and continued until the morning. Serious blows were inflicted on the ISIS gangs in the village of Merza Erbuşan. Many gang members were killed. This was the first joint action carried out together with the FSA and peshmerga and these operations will continue.”

“Allegations of problems between YPG and FSA are baseless”  

Finally, what would you like to say?

I would like to respond to certain baseless allegations. There are no problems between the YPG and the FSA. Claims that we don’t want the FSA here are untrue. It is not true that we are opposed to  Abduljabbar Egidi's forces being here. These allegations are part of an ISIS ploy. On the contrary, we are gradually consolidating our alliance, and I am confident that these forces and the YPG will continue to develop this alliance.