Representatives of the peoples in Manbij spoke to ANF about the latest attacks of the Turkish state.

Manbij Legislative Assembly member Adil Ebu Ferhat maintained that the Turkish state attacked with the approval of Russia and the US, targeting hospitals, schools, grain silos and living areas. “The Turkish state is attacking under the pretext of protecting its borders. But why didn't Turkey want to protect the borders when these places were under ISIS occupation? Turkey was training and sending ISIS members to these areas. After their plan failed, the Turkish forces started to attack with dirty tricks. The explosion in Taksim, Istanbul was a part of that,” Ebu Ferhat said.

MANBIJ WILL NOT SUBMIT

Adil Ebu Ferhat said that the Turkish state wanted to destroy the Autonomous Administration by disrupting the stability and unity of the peoples, making the democratic project unworkable. “Because Erdoğan is terrified about the democratic nation project. He knows that as long as a democratic nation project prevails, his rule and dictatorship will be in jeopardy. We, as the peoples of North-East Syria, do not accept Erdogan's invasion in any way. We condemn these attacks, and we will submit in any way. As the Manbij administration, institutions and people, we stand by our fighters and will resist until the end. With the unity of our people and SDF fighters, we will frustrate any attack against us,” he remarked.

WE WILL DEFEAT ATTACKS

Circassian Committee Member Samih Hesen Hebaq pointed out that the Turkish government is going to the polls amid multiple crises and makes up excuses to attack North-East Syria. Hebaq noted that they have not attacked or threatened any country until now: “On the contrary, terrorism always comes from the Turkish state. We will stand against the attacks of the Turkish state. Will it protect its borders by targeting oil wells? The Turkish state wants to bring down the economy of the region. It can be seen how bad the situation is in the regions occupied by the Turkish state. However, our region resists in unity despite the embargo and blockade. As the peoples of the region, we will defeat the attacks and reinforce our administration.”

THEY CANNOT BREAK OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM

Turkmen Committee member Salih Cuma Çagirga emphasized that they did not accept the Turkish attack and occupation not only in the North-East but also in any part of Syria: “Everybody knows that these attacks have no justification, Turkey only attacks for invasion and plunder. Erdogan is planning to win the elections by carrying out the internal crisis outside the country and keeping public opinion busy. All the peoples of North-East Syria have been living together for hundreds of years. The Turkish state is talking about a 32 km deep buffer zone. This means occupying this region. We, the people of Manbij, do not accept this. The Turkish state declares the SDF, which consists of local people, as terrorists. We know from history what the Ottomans had done in these lands for 400 years, and we have not forgotten it. The Turkish state was always the enemy of these lands. The SDF is fighting for the whole of Syria. Dozens of times, attempts were made to establish a dialogue with the Syrian government. A solution was offered at the negotiation table, but it was rejected repeatedly. We live in this land. We do not need the intervention of the Turkish state or any other power. It doesn't matter whether it is in Manbij, Kobanê or Derik. We are all one. We will not allow any force to disrupt our unity and democratic system.”

TURKEY TARGETS ALL PEOPLES

Mistefa İbrahim Şihade, from the Helisat tribe, stated that the Turkish state has been attacking the region for 7 years and emphasized that this was the real terrorism: “Our children cannot go to their schools because the Turkish state is constantly attacking them. The target of the Turkish state is not a single people, mass or party. The Turkish state is targeting all peoples in the region. The Turkish state has overstepped its limits and is carrying out terrorist activities in the region. It even targets our graveyards. We will stand by the SDF. Our only goal is to keep our democratic system alive and develop it. Terrorists are those people who deem us terrorists.”

NO DETERRENT OPTIONS AGAINST TURKEY

Xelîl İhsan Xelîl, from the tribe of Ebu Şaban, also said that Turkey could not attack without a green light from the US and Russia. Xelîl İhsan Xelîl stressed that Russia, Arab states, the US and the International Coalition do not respect the will of the Syrian peoples. “No deterrent options have been introduced by the international community. Despite all this, we, as the peoples of North-East Syria, have once again shown our unity in the face of these attacks. We don't want war, but we will defend our region,” he said.