An opinion leader of the Al Tufayhiayn Tribe, Muhammed Ahmed El Ali, emphasized that they are opposed not to the Turkish people but to the Turkish regime which has been involved in attacks against North and East Syria from the very beginning. “These attacks target all Syrian peoples. Every honourable individual will defend himself,” El Ali said.

Muhammed Ahmed El Ali spoke to ANF about the Turkish invasion threats and their ongoing attacks against the region.

El Ali pointed out that the Turkish state has supported all radical Islamist groups in Syria from the very beginning and only the names of the groups have changed. “The Turkish state actually lost the battle following the liberation of Baxoz. Therefore, it sent the mercenaries to the Afrin and Serêkaniyê regions. They were ISIS members. They had just changed their names,” he said.

ARAB STATES ARE SILENT

El Ali reacted to the ongoing silence towards Turkish aggression in the region. “The United Nations is silent. Sometimes it issues insignificant statements. All Arab states also remain silent. So far, no state has raised an objection to it.”

TIME TO JOIN FORCES

El Ali pointed out the SDF is the only local force that defends the region. “The SDF liberated territories from Qamishlo to Baxoz. No one can deny this fact. I appeal to the peoples of North and East Syria and all Syrian peoples; let's unite against occupation. It's time to put aside the differences of opinion among us and form our unity against occupation. If we liberate our occupied lands, we can solve the differences, too. Those living under occupation should know well that they are the children of Syria. They are sold and used as mercenaries by all states. If you have never been involved in a bloody crime, you can return to your country. After all, you are a child of this land. Come back this way.”

EVERY HONORABLE INDIVIDUAL WILL DEFEND HIMSELF

El Ali made it clear that they would defend themselves against Turkish attacks like every honourable individual: “The peoples of North and East Syria must be ready for the things to come. Civilians should also consider themselves as soldiers in this war. We stand against the Turkish regime, not the Turkish people. The Turkish state has been involved in every attack against the region. These attacks target all Syrian peoples. Therefore, every honourable individual would defend himself. Turkey says that it is attacking the PKK. This is not true. Their main target is North and East Syria and its peoples. As tribes, we will stand against a possible attack.”