PYD politician Salih Muslim considers the NDF's attacks on the local security forces in Qamishlo a "game played by Damascus and Moscow." The Baathists are using it to score points before the election, he says.
Heavy fighting has been taking place in Qamishlo since around 10 p.m. on Tuesday night. The militia Difa al-Watani (National Defense Forces, NDF), which is loyal to the regime, had attacked a checkpoint of the security forces of the Autonomous Administration in the city center. While one member of the security forces was killed in the attack, the fighting continues. After an escalation in which the NDF used mortars and RPG rocket launchers, only sporadic exchanges of fire can be heard in the midday hours.
"This attack is not the first and will not be the last"
PYD politician Salih Muslim spoke to ANHA about the current events in Qamishlo and said: "Undoubtedly, the attacks by these forces, which are linked to both the Russia and Damascus government, will not be the first nor the last. The purpose of these forces is to create insecurity among people by spreading chaos in the region. It is common knowledge that Difa al-Watani wants to create chaos first, followed by Russian intervention. In short, what is happening is being deliberately brought about."
"The attacks are a game played by Russia and Damascus"
Muslim sees a connection to the upcoming elections in Syria: "The goal is to relate to the population, to bring them to the polls and thus increase their own share of the vote. At the same time, the regime wants to spread its propaganda in this way. However, we say we are strong and these games are in vain. It is a game played by Damascus and Moscow. After all, the same thing has already happened in Ain Issa and Shehba. Russia tried to extort concessions by withdrawing from the region, but then returned. Such approaches destroy confidence in both Russia and the government in Damascus. All these developments do not mean that our defense forces are weak in the face of attacks. Because this is all a game."
"The people must be attentive"
Muslim warns, "The government in Damascus has established a relationship with the Turkish state based on destabilizing the region. Both sides want to shake confidence in the Autonomous Administration and plunge the region into chaos. This is contrary to the interest of the people here and the security of the region. The people must be on alert to these plans."
