Turkey is waging a murderous war of aggression against Rojava. Fighters and civilians die almost every day. Most recently, 29 members of an anti-drug unit were killed in an attack on an academy of the Internal Security Forces (Asayîş). In an interview with ANF, some of the relatives express their feelings and perspectives.

"This ground is soaked with the blood of the martyrs"

Mihyedîn Hesen is the father of a martyr. Remarking that the Turkish state's attacks are aimed at breaking up the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), he said: "The people who are committed to the Autonomous Administration and participate at all levels are being tested by hunger. Water works, power plants, energy storage facilities, places that are the livelihood of the people and essential for the continuation of life, are being attacked. Our enemy murders children, women and old people without hesitation. The attacks are meant to drive people away. Our people have taken a stand against this policy of expulsion from the very beginning. Even if we only live on bread and water, we will not allow the enemy to succeed with his policy. Our people wave the flag of freedom. This soil is soaked with the blood of the martyrs and was liberated at the cost of countless sacrifices. All achievements have been won through the sacrifices of the martyrs. We will not turn away from this struggle and surrender our country to the enemy. We are united like a fist in the fight against the enemy. The enemy can neither strike us with hunger nor force us to flee. We will not retreat one step from now on. We will continue our journey by carrying forward the dream of the martyrs. No matter what they do, we will not abandon this country to Erdoğan and his mercenaries." 

"We will never allow our dignity to be trampled upon by the enemy"

Manal Fahri, the aunt of two martyrs, warned against the monistic racism of the AKP/MHP regime and stated: "The Turkish state is pursuing a policy of genocide against the peoples of the region. It pursues an attitude according to which there can only be one language, one identity, one flag and one nation. But the Turkish state should understand the following: it will not be able to occupy even one footprint of our land, it will not be able to take it. If it thinks that it can break our will with attacks, intimidate us and sow discord among the peoples, it is wrong. The more the attacks increase, the more intense the struggle becomes. The peoples of the region are wholeheartedly committed to the autonomous administration. This bond continues unbroken. We will never allow our dignity to be trampled upon by the Turkish state."

"We will not deviate from the path of our martyrs”

Nêzîr Sofî, who lost his brother in the latest attacks, talked about the situation among the people, saying: "The people here are organised. Our people have fought a great battle in every attack. The most precious and valuable thing for a mother and father is their child. The mothers and fathers in Rojava have sent their children into the ranks of the resistance and taught them that their basic duty is to protect their land and preserve their language and identity. Such a people will never stop resisting, will not be broken and will not retreat in the struggle. We are dealing with a people that has its sights firmly set on its goals. We will continue on this path until victory. We will never give up our dignity. We will not deviate from the path of our martyrs, because their struggle is our struggle."