The resistance against gang groups in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud district has grown the peoples of the district’s will for common life. YPG fighters in Sheikh Maqsoud from various peoples spoke to ANHA about why and how they joined the resistance.

Ezîz Sîpan, an Arab who has been a YPG fighter since the YPG was founded, said: “With the start of the Syrian crisis, several armed groups formed in the region. All these groups sought their own interests, and ignored the demands of the people. As the youth of the neighborhood, we decided to defend our homes from gang attacks and so we joined the YPG. Because we saw freedom and hope in the YPG.”

Ezîz Sîpan said all peoples and faiths displayed a joint struggle against gang attacks in the Sheikh Maqsoud district: “We proved that Leader Öcalan’s ideology of the common life of peoples can be implemented. YPG has defended all peoples and all diversity, and still does.”

Xemgîn Heleb, a Syriac who joined the YPG in 2014, said: “YPG has kept all peoples and all faiths together. That is why I joined the YPG. We resisted the gangs united as all peoples and faiths.” Xemgîn said the gangs threatened them constantly due to their faith and added: “That was how the gangs thought to pit the peoples of the district against each other. But today, all faiths and peoples defend their neighborhoods together.”

Kanîwar Heleb, a Turkmen who has been in the YPG since its founding, said: “YPG is trying to end the Syrian crisis. We have reached victory through the unity of peoples and their joint struggle. Sheikh Maqsoud is now an example of the peoples’ will for common life.”

Kanîwar said they will continue their struggle until all peoples and faiths are free from gangs.