The invading Turkish state has recently increased attacks against North and East Syria and Shengal. Despite the slaughter of a large number of civilians, the international community continues to remain silent.

Assessing the latest attacks for ANHA, Lokman Ehme, spokesman of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, said “The Turkish state avenges ISIS”, and called on the guarantor states to fulfil their responsibilities.

‘They want to intimidate the people’

Ehme called on the people to unite and stand with the Autonomous Administration, pointing out the intentional attacks on civilian settlements.

“The Turkish state basically targets the common struggle of the peoples. So far, it has perpetrated numerous massacres against civilians. Especially the massacres in Afrin, Serekaniye and Gire Spi are well-known, which all targeted civilians, including women and children. Remarkably, the Turkish state attacks everywhere where people lead a peaceful life. They resort to any way to intimidate the people and to force them to abandon their homes and lands. Our people should be aware of these schemes and unite under the guidance of the Autonomous Administration” said Lokman Ehme.

‘They avenge the ISIS’

Pointing out that the Turkish state intends to avenge ISIS, Lokman Ehme noted that the Turkish state opened the border gates for the gangs at the time when Gire Spi was under occupation of ISIS, and added, “After Gire Spi was liberated from ISIS, the Turkish state wanted to avenge ISIS, and now it seeks similar objectives in Shengal. ISIS had been defeated there as well. The Turkish state is attacking the people who paid a heavy price and the international forces remain silent for their own interests.”

“The Turkish state tries to take revenge for the defeat of ISIS in 2019 on people who paid a heavy price in the struggle against ISIS” said Lokman Ehme and continued, “When ISIS was reigning over Gire Spi and the other occupied regions, the Turkish state publicly had commercial relations within these borders. After the SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] eliminated these gangs, the Turkish state could not stand this defeat and conducted attacks specifically targeting those who paid a price in the war against ISIS. Such an approach can be seen easily in the attacks against Shengal. The Turkish state, once again, is especially targeting guerrilla forces who have fought ISIS. The latest attack targeting a location close to veterans who took active roles in the struggle against ISIS, and the silence of the international community clearly reveal the relationship between ISIS and the Turkish state.”

 ‘Russia and the USA should fulfil their responsibilities’

Expressing that Russia and the USA do not adhere to the agreements and they avoid fulfilling their responsibilities based on these agreements, Lokman Ehme remarked that Russia and the USA only care about their own interests and disregard the benefits of any other people.

Ehme stated that unless these two states fulfil their responsibilities and stop the attacks, the people will protest against them.

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria had talks with Russia following the latest attacks, said Lokman Ehme, and added “These talks did not accomplish any result. Even during the talks, the attacks did not cease, and Russia did not make any statement. We expect that Russia fulfils its mission. Any possible war to break out in the region will not avail anyone. However, when war reaches our door, we will inevitably defend our people and lands.”

 ‘We should base on official statements’

Stressing that the attacks aim to subdue the Autonomous Administration, Lokman Ehme said, “The Autonomous Administration is the future of our people. We should continue our struggle.” He called on people to be cautious against manipulations and psychological attacks, pointing out the importance of organised power of the people, and lastly added, “Everyone should base on the statements of only official institutions.”