YPG General Commander Siphan Hemo spoke on the main news bulleting of the Med Nuce TV, saying that ISIS gangs were using all their forces, and even forcing civilians into conflict. Hemo said the decision of the peshmerga to go to Kobanê was positive as it would enable them to broaden the war. Sipan Hemo added that the YPG had fought an honourable war against the ISIS gangs for 41 days, saying with every passing day the YPG and YPJ fighters were defeating the gangs and advancing.

YPG Commander said YPG and YPJ fighters were mounting a fierce resistance to continuing ISIS attacks, adding that with the arrival of the peshmerga, “we will step up the struggle together.” Hemo added that the FSA would be able to make a contribution to the Kobanê resistance by fighting ISIS on other fronts, adding that Turkey was now trying different methods as its calculations had not turned out as it had expected.

Hemo emphasised the role played by the people in all four parts of Kurdistan, saying: “the resistance belongs as much to the Kurdish people involved in resistance as it does to the YPG and YPJ fighters.” 

‘We consider the peshmerga’s arrival positive’

Hemo continued: “The peshmerga of Kurdistan should assist in the defence of the Kurdish people everywhere. In many parts of South Kurdistan, first and foremost in Sinjar, our units are fighting together with the peshmerga against ISIS. Their arrival is appropriate and positive,” adding that the peshmerga coming to Kobanê would give a boost to morale.

‘Some groups within the FSA are already fighting alongside us’

Hemo said he also considered the arrival of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to be positive, saying: “some progressive groups within the FSA are fighting alongside us. They have contacted the YPG recently, they can also fight here.”

‘It would be better if the FSA opened new fronts’  

Hemo stressed that ISIS attacks were not limited to Kobanê, saying that ISIS were also in Manbij, Jarablus and Rakka, adding: “If they want to make a contribution to the YPG they can attack ISIS in Manbij or Jarablus. It would be better if a second front was opened.”

Hemo emphasised that Japhat Al Akrad (Kurdish Front) and Burkan Al Firat were already fighting in Kobanê alongside YPG and YPJ forces and that the FSA should hold on to its own areas. He added that the FSA’s attitude to the revolution in Rojava was positive.

‘Turkey does not want the Kurds to be free’

Hemo said the Turkish state had from the start opposed the revolution in Rojava, supporting groups attacking the revolution. He added that the whole world could now see that Turkey had opened the border to the gangs many times, allowing ISIS members to cross into Rojava or Syria.

Hemo added that the Turkish state had not expected Kobanê to resist for so long, saying: “They expected Kobanê to fall, but as it hasn’t they want to send a group that it favours. If Turkey wants to recognise Kobanê it should support those who are resisting. Instead, it has obstructed people from North Kurdistan who want to offer support.”

Hemo said that Turkey wanted to prevent Kurds achieving freedom. They do not want the YPG or the Kurds. They want to finish off the Kurds within the entirety of Syria and the Arabs, but we have said from the start that Kobanê is a Kurdish area. Turkey’s plans will not succeed.”

PYD Commander pointed out that the YPG and YPJ and the Kurdish people of Rojava had done no harm to Turkey and would not do so in the future. “However, they have supported the gangs. If they continue to do this it will bring harm on them,” he added. Hemo concluded by saying that debating which groups should go to Kobanê demonstrated that Turkey had different designs for the area.