Syrian Women’s Council spokeswoman, Lina Berekat, talked to ANHA about the attacks carried out by the occupying Turkish army and their mercenary allies in Afrin.

How do we have to interpret the ongoing violations carried out by the invading Turkish state and its mercenary allies against the people of Afrin?

Six months have passed since the Turkish state occupied Afrin. In these six months Turkey has carried out the most horrific crimes against the people of Afrin. Houses and historical sites were plundered, robbing, harassment and rape were widespread. Furthermore the people were attacked with forbidden weapons, civilians were abducted. All these practices have been carried out within a context of total silence by the international community. So I ask, who is the aggressor? Who's a terrorist? Who is the force that defends their land, their homes? The people of Afrin have not carried out any military action against the Turkish state.

However, the Turkish state occupied Afrin under different excuses. And they continue their attacks to prevent the democratic project from being implemented.

Why have the invading Turkish state and its mercenary allies specifically targeted women in Afrin?

Reactionary extremists have targeted women in the society; we saw this in the attacks carried out by DAESH mercenaries. And we saw the Turkish state targeting women, not just DAESH. Turkish soldiers were attacking women in their attempt to break the will of the people in Afrin. However, women in Afrin did not bow and did not step down their resistance, which resulted in these attempts being defeated.

Women in Afrin are exposed to violent crimes against humanity before the eyes of the world, yet the international opinion says nothing. Can we say that Turkey is actually protected by this silence?

We cannot say that all human rights organizations accept the occupation of the Turkish state. Because some organizations have supported the people of Afrin. Unfortunately we can count them on the fingers of two hands. Afrin people are subjected to heavy rights violations. However, the international community remains silent. Many regional and international powers indeed are partners of Erdogan's attacks. The attack on Afrin was not carried out only for Erdoğan's own initiative. Afrin was occupied as the result of an international agreement which will remain a black stain.

Turkish military and their mercenary allies use DAESH methods in Afrin. How can these attacks on women be countered?

Occupying forces wanting to destroy a society, always target women first. We all witnessed the practices of DAESH mercenaries such as forced marriage for women, selling women in slave markets and condemning them to black clothing. DAESH mercenaries and Turkey are implementing practices which remind me of the age of ignorance. The attack of the Turkish state against the Yazidi women and the body of YPJ fighters is no different from the age of ignorance.

These attacks are actually a message to women. These attacks said to women: "We will break your will, we will destroy your revolution".

Despite all the abuses and attacks tough, women in Afrin are organizing again in Shehba. How to read this?

Women give hope and life. Women have resisted and strengthened their organization despite all the immoral attacks carried out by the Turkish state and DAESH mercenaries. Women resisted against the reactionary extremist idea under the leadership of the YPJ and put in front of the world’s eyes their determination and desire of freedom.

I call upon all Syrian women to continue their liberation struggle by being strong and organizing despite all obstacles they may face.