The Martyrs' Families Association has launched a tent action in Semalka to protest the killing of 5 guerrillas by the KDP forces. The mortal remains of the guerrillas have not been delivered to their families. The KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) remains silent to the calls of families and actually closed the border gate.

PYD (Democratic Union Party) co-presidency council member Sema Bekdaş, Aleppo Kongra Star member Nergiz Bekir and Qamishlo City Council employee Mune İbrahim were interviewed by ANF about the closure of the Semalka Border Gate by the KDP on December 16 and the invasion attacks carried out by the Turkish state against Shengal.

PYD executive Sema Bekdaş maintained that the Kurdistan regional government is recently following a policy which is contrary to the interests of the Kurdish people. “We think that Kurdistan is going through a difficult time. Political and cultural genocides against the Kurdish people in North Kurdistan (Turkey) and Turkish military operations against the Media Defence Zones in South Kurdistan have been continuing. The Syrian civil war has been going on for 10 years and the Semalka Border Gate has been closed. Currently, an embargo is in effect. Unfortunately, these border gates are used as a trump card and are constantly being closed. In the last few months, it has become very difficult for injured or sick people to go to South Kurdistan for treatment.

What is happening and the policies carried out in South Kurdistan do not serve the Kurdish people. They serve the enemies of the Kurdish people, specifically the Turkish state. The KDP has not taken a stand against the Turkish attacks on the Medya Defence Zones and has become a partner to them. Most recently, 5 guerrillas were killed by the KDP, and their bodies have not been delivered to their families. Thus, the Martyrs' Families Association has started a tent action and called on the KDP to deliver the bodies of the martyrs, yet they have not received any response. The closure of the Semalka Border Gate demonstrates that it is cooperating with the Turkish state.”

POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS MUST ACT WITH A SPIRIT OF RESISTANCE

Bekdaş pointed out that Rojava has attempted to create unity among the Kurds, but these attempts have been frustrated and there is instead a will to wage a civil war in South Kurdistan. “Our people must be careful against these plans. The Kurdish people know who their enemy is. Kurdish political party leaders must act with a spirit of resistance. The Kurdish issue is being discussed all over the world currently. Thousands of people support ​​the Autonomous Administration and ideas of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, calling for his release from prison. However, despite these political developments, we still see that some Kurdish parties are collaborating with the enemy.

We call on the Kurdistan regional government in South Kurdistan to abandon this stance, because we are going through a historical period and the Kurds should act with dignity. The Kurds have been massacred for centuries, so all Kurds must unite and determine their own destiny in the four parts of Kurdistan. The South Kurdistan government should not allow the Turkish forces to use the Semalka Border Gate for their own interest.”

Bekdaş added: “Shengal where the Kurds have a history and roots, has been targeted by the Turkish army. The whole world has witnessed what happened there, yet no one has defended Shengal. It alone maintains its own self-defence. The South Kurdistan government and the Baghdad government should support Shengal to protect the Yazidi people from massacres, not to strengthen their position. However, both governments have not taken any stance against the attacks on Shengal so far.”

KDP IS TRYING TO CONCEAL ITS BETRAYAL

Aleppo Kongra Star member Nergiz Bekir said that betrayal has been imposed on the Kurdish people for centuries. “The action launched by the Martyrs’ Families Association at the Semalka Border Gate in South Kurdistan to receive the bodies of the guerrillas who were killed by the KDP is continuing, but the KDP claims that it hasn’t got the bodies. They think that their betrayal will not be exposed, and the people will not notice it, but the people are already aware of the KDP's betrayal.

By allowing the attacks in Shengal, they have also paved the way for a Turkish incursion against the Medya Defence Zones. Since they see that the people of Shengal are governing themselves, they target and attack civilian institutions. Previously, we saw the betrayal of the KDP in Afrin. We saw their support for mercenary groups, and their activities against women, young people and the people in Afrin. The people are aware of this betrayal, and they should act accordingly, protect their rights and their own children. Rojava gave so many martyrs. Therefore, we will not abandon our cause, no matter what happens and no matter where we are, until we get our rights.”

ENEMY LOVES BLOOD

Qamishlo City Council employee Mune Ibrahim stated that the Kurdish people are in favour of brotherhood, but the KDP rejects it. “The KDP is betraying the Kurds. We condemn the attacks against Shengal. They have the bodies of the martyrs for more than 70 days. As the Qamishlo Municipal Council, we are always there for our people. The enemy does not accept our council, because it does not want democracy to flourish in the Middle East. Our enemy loves blood and targets civilians. Not only in Shengal, but they have also killed 3 members of the Gulo family recently in Rojava.