The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) released a statement to mark the anniversary of its establishment, saying the following:

“At a time when hostile forces threaten and besiege our administration, historic steps have been taken and achievements made for all the children of the country.

In 2011, a popular movement emerged in Syria against the central state policies, exclusion and denial in all areas, calling for freedom, democratic change and human dignity. International and regional powers directly and indirectly intervened in the civil war in Syria for their own interests. They helped radical Islamist groups from all over the world to come to Syria. This caused the popular movement to move away from its purposes and to get involved in ethnic, internal and bloody wars.

Alongside this tragedy, there were national forces with the legacy of struggle based on a free and insightful will that offered holistic and comprehensive democratic solution projects. On this basis, the 19 July Revolution began in 2012 and all peoples and components in North and East Syria took part in it. They organized themselves to shape their children's future in political, social, economic and all fields.”

'BASIS OF A DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION...'

The statement remarked that despite the internal and external difficulties, the children of the region agreed and united around the announcement made on January 21, 2014, by the Autonomous Administration in the Cizire, Kobanê and Afrin regions. “The announcement of the Autonomous Administration project became the basis of the democratic solution project in Syria to resolve the historical crises that Syria has gone through.”

“This administration, which worked for the ruling and service of its region, also fought terrorist organizations that attacked the services and democratic project of the components and people in the region on behalf of the interests of foreign countries, especially the Turkish state.

People from different ethnic and religious identities embraced this administration which waged a war against global terrorism on Syrian territory on behalf of the entire world. It paid the heaviest price, sacrificing its children to save one region after another from the brutal terror of ISIS and its partners. The Autonomous Administration liberated Raqqa, the capital of the so-called caliphate, in October 2017, and Baghouz, the last ISIS stronghold. As a result of the liberation of many areas from the ISIS terrorist organization in North and East Syria, 3 autonomous administrations and 4 civil administrations were established.

ESTABLISHMENT PURPOSE

Defining the establishment purpose of the Autonomous Administration, the statement said,

“There was a need to combine the activities of 7 administrations. Therefore, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria consisting of 3 assemblies, namely legislative, judicial and executive, was declared on September 6, 2018 in Ain Issa along with its existing institutions including civil, military and security institutions.

This administration was built on social and national foundations that would bring with it general solutions. It is also a suitable model for resolving problems in Syria and the region. This administration relies on the principles of multicultural and common life based on the idea and philosophy of a democratic nation, so that the people can govern themselves, fulfil their wishes and protect the political borders of the Syrian lands.”

As we mark the 4th anniversary of the Autonomous Administration, conflicts still continue in Syria, the suffering of the people increases, and they are forced to migrate. In the meantime, the Turkish state is committing war crimes in the regions it has occupied. However, the administration is trying to meet the service, security and political demands of the people and takes historic steps despite the obstacles and embargo imposed by foreign states.

'WE WILL REMOVE THE OCCUPATION FORCES'

The Autonomous Administration vowed to liberate the occupied lands, stating, “As the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, we promise our children who were martyred in the pursuit of freedom and human dignity, the Syrian people in general and the people of North and East Syria, that we will continue to follow in the footsteps of our martyrs, ensure its security and stability and protect the gains. We also promise that we will work nonstop in all areas, will liberate Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî which are the strategic regions of the Autonomous Administration, and will ensure the return of our forcibly displaced people to their lands in an dignified and safe manner.

“We call on all peoples to gather around the Autonomous Administration and to take part in civil and military institutions affiliated with the Autonomous Administration. The Autonomous Administration is a project that meets the demands of all Syrians and shapes the future of Syria. Furthermore, it offers a political solution to all conflicts in Syria and the region.”

The Autonomous Administration urged the international community to fulfil their moral and legal duties against the attacks of the invading Turkish state. “These attacks affect the infrastructure of the region and the people,” it concluded.