Following the deadly drone attacks carried out by the Turkish state in Kobanê over the past few days, people in northern Syria are calling on the U.S. and Russia to close the airspace to Turkey. On October 20 and 23, two civilians and three SDF fighters were killed in armed drone attacks in Kobanê. Demonstrations took place today in numerous cities in the regions of Kobanê and Cizîrê.

Reconnaissance drones have again been observed in the airspace over Kobanê today. Meanwhile, hundreds of people have taken to the streets to protest the Turkish attacks and treason.

Kobanê

Hundreds of Kobane residents held a march in protest at the Turkish state’s attacks on the region. Speaking at the final rally in the Martyr Egid Square, Ayşe Efendi, a member of the Euphrates Region Council of Martyrs’ Families, called for the defense of Rojava's revolution and said, "We offer our condolences to the families of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for freedom. The number of our martyrs is increasing every day. As the people of Kobanê, we stand behind the revolution of Rojava. We will continue to defend Kobanê and will not allow the occupiers to break our will. There is no place for traitors in Kobanê. Those who betray their people ultimately destroy themselves."

Amude

Dozens of people gathered at Free Women Square in the Amude town near Qamishlo condemning the Turkish attacks. The activists urged international forces to close air space to the Turkish state, holding Russia responsible for the crimes committed by Turkey.

Speaking at the demonstration that followed the protest march, spokeswoman of the women’s umbrella organization Kongreya Star, Newroz Eli, said, “Through the invasion attacks directed against the region, the Turkish state is targeting the willpower of the peoples and the Democratic Nation project.” She called upon the international community to fulfil its responsibilities.

Derik

Dozens of young people held a protest rally with banners reading “No to Turkish invasion”, “Turkish state’s violations of rights against civilians should end” and “Death to Erdogan”.

Speaking on behalf of the activists at the Martyrs’ Square, Hesen Hemze, one of the administrators of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), said, “The Turkish state is planning attacks on North and East Syria in order to overthrow the Democratic Nation project. We will counter all invasion plans.”

Tirbespiye

Tirbespiye residents also staged a protest march denouncing Turkey’s crimes in the region. The crowd called for an end to the ongoing genocidal attacks of the Turkish state.

Til Temir

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Til Temir in Heseke Kanton. The activists called for the air-space of North-East Syria to be closed to the Turkish Air Forces.

The protest march began in front of the Martyrs’ Families Council and was followed by a demonstration in Palestine Street. Speaking here, local official Seid Şexmus recalled that the attacks on Til Temir are continuing unabated.

Pointing to Turkey’s violations of the ceasefire, Şexmus stressed that the Turkish state violated the agreement yet on the first day.

Raqqa

Another demonstration in protest at Turkish attacks took place in Raqqa where a march organised by Zenûbiya Women’s Assembly was joined by hundreds of young people as well as members of çivil and military institutions and notables from the tribes in the city.

The group protested against Turkish occupation and attacks against North-East Syria, and the international silence in the face of the crimes committed in the region.

Speaking at the demonstration that followed the march, Zenûbiya Women’s Assembly Executive Member Itîmad El-Ehmed stated that the Turkish state targeted civilians to cover up its defeat.

El-Ehmed stressed that Turkey’s latest attacks on civilians in the Kobanê region under the guise of national security was a consequence of its intolerance in the face of the achievements made by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

“As the people of Raqqa, we say no to international silence. We, as people, are united and have one will. We will stand against these crimes and we will keep our struggle going until all the lands of Syria are freed.”

Itîmad El-Ehmed condemned the human rights and legal organisations that maintain their silence in the face of the crimes committed by the Turkish state.