Youth organizations in Rojava and Northern Syria have gathered at the Sêmelka Border Crossing between Rojava and Southern Kurdistan and held a press statement regarding the Turkish state’s invasion attacks against Southern Kurdistan and policies of the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) government.

The press statement was read out by Murad Qamişlo to the accompaniment of over 150 young people from Democratic Students’ Union, Young Women’s Union and Kurdish Youth Coordination.

Qamişlo announced launching an action at Semelka border crossing, recalling that they had previously attempted to cross into Southern Kurdistan to show solidarity with the youth joining the Human Shields action in Qandil as part of the “Serî hilde” (Rise Up) campaign, but were prevented by forces of the KDP government.

Qamişlo stressed that their action will continue until they are allowed to cross the border, saying; “The KDP government should oppose the invasion attacks of the Turkish state and allow our crossing for solidarity with the youth in the Human Shields action.”

Remarking that the Turkish state targets all the Kurdish people rather than seeking to occupy a single territory, Qamişlo continued; “We are ready to resist the invasion attacks of the Turkish state in Southern Kurdistan like in Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and other parts of Rojava.”

Speaking after, Kurdish Youth Coordination member Abdulxenî Umer emphasised that the “Serî Hilde” campaign will continue until its goals are achieved. Umer added that they have talked with the officials at Sêmelka to be able to cross into Southern Kurdistan, but were denied passage by the KDP government forces.

The action of the youth is expected to continue for a month.