The Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM) made a statement announcing the death of 3 of its members in an attack carried out by the invading Turkish state in Shehba on 9 October.

“The fascist Turkish state proves day by day its hostility to women, democratic work, peace and society to the whole world and to our people, in particular in Northern and Eastern Syria. Turkish fascism is led by the AKP-MHP. The Turkish state has become a threat not only to our people, but also to all the peoples of the Middle East and the world at a time when it has failed due to its wrong policies, racism and deadlock in the face of freedom fighters. They are attacking women, civilians, activists and all the values in the mountains of Kurdistan and the gains of the people throughout Kurdistan, killing hundreds of fighters, women and pioneers of our people. It is attacking the refugees displaced by the occupation of Afrin. Three of our members who fought against the AKP-MHP occupation, which wants to continue the genocide against our people, were martyred in one of these dirty attacks,” said the TEV-DEM statement on Friday.

TEV-DEM saluted the “martyrdom of our freedom and democracy fighters who braved all kinds of difficulties in their work for the construction of a democratic society, women's freedom and the brotherhood of peoples.”

The statement continued: “Comrade Zelal Efrîn worked with all her strength in every field and fought for the freedom of the people, democratic society and freedoms throughout Northern and Eastern Syria during the Rojavayê (Western) Kurdistan Revolution. She did not step back under any circumstances, taking her place in TEV-DEM after the 19 July women's revolution and achieving great works among immigrants.

Comrade Mazlum Antep, who represented the unity of our people in all four parts of Kurdistan with his revolutionary personality and who undoubtedly saw the 19 July Revolution as the revolution of all peoples and the people of Kurdistan, fought great struggles. Mazlum Antep, who also took his place in TEV-DEM, mourned and rejoiced together with the immigrants forcibly displaced by the occupying Turkish state.

Comrade Alaf Mûrad is a Kurdish youngster. He served the people and society of Northern and Eastern Syria by putting forward the duty and role of youth in the work of the movement. Comrade Alaf did not give up his cause until the moment he was martyred.

We salute our people, our freedom and democracy fighters and the martyrs. We strongly condemn the human rights organisations and states that remain silent on the atrocities of the Turkish state. We call on all our people, democrats and everyone to stand up against Turkish fascism and to bring these crimes against humanity before international courts.

As TEV-DEM, we pledge to our martyred comrades that we will continue to fight for freedom, democracy, an organised, equal society based on moral and human values, and women's liberation.”