YPG Spokesperson Nûrî Mehmûd spoke to ANF about Turkish president Erdogan’s “phobia of democracy, rights and Kurds” and his threat of a new attack against Northern and Eastern Syria.

Is there any signal of a possible new occupation attack on this region, which is under constant attack?

First of all, there is no doubt that Erdogan's open threats are nothing new. Attacks against Shehba, Til Rifat, Serêkaniyê, Til Temir, Ain Issa and the M4 highway continue almost every day, whether they declare it openly or not. There are always Turkish attacks on the region. By issuing this new threat, he wants to scale up his attacks even more. There is no doubt that the AKP-MHP regime and Erdogan are using the Turkish army and the remnants of groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood. We have registered movement and assembly. There are efforts to attack Rojava. Erdogan does not hide that he has been trying to carry out these attacks. He has been saying this openly in the diplomatic field and in the media for a while. Attacks targeting our citizens and members throughout Rojava are carried out by armed drones on a daily basis. There is continuity in these attacks. There are attempts to launch a new and larger invasion attack. Preparations for this and their announcement of the attack are in the same process. We see Erdogan's declaration of war as a serious danger and we deal with it accordingly.

Is there a violation of the agreement made on 17-22 October 2019 and why the silence in all this?

All of these attacks are a violation of the agreement between the Russia-US-International Coalition, us and Turkey. These powers are the guarantor powers of this agreement. Artillery, tanks, howitzers, planes and gang attacks against Til Temir, Ain Issa, M4 highway, Til Rifat, Shehba, Qamishlo, Derik and Kobanê regions never stopped. The whole world should know that the Turkish army, acting on Erdogan's instructions, violated this agreement. The international powers should recall the US and Russia from their role as guarantors. If necessary, they should say 'stop' to Turkey.

Why does the Turkish state want to embark on a new invasion attack? What is it waiting for and what are the dangers that such an attack would bring?

Along with Turkey's attacks, ISIS attacks are increasing. ISIS is getting stronger and increasing its mobility. When all these come to the fore, the threat of terrorism re-emerges. The world should be aware of this. The time has come to reconsider the AKP-MHP government and Erdogan's relations with ISIS. There is lots of evidence on this subject. The prison attack in Hesekê was an example of this. Now there is a danger of ISIS attacking the Hol Camp again. These are interrelated. The whole world should see this.

Erdogan is also attacking Iraq. There are reasons for all this. The AKP-MHP regime now chooses war to cover up multiple problems within Turkey. They have no other solution but war. Erdogan wants to rule Turkey through a state of emergency. Thus, he will suppress the opponents of his regime in Turkey. The peoples of Turkey should also see this. Erdogan is the enemy of democracy, freedom, cultural wealth and morality. He wants to rule Turkey in a jihadist and fascist way. He said that there is a danger to the so-called security of Turkey. However, Northern and Eastern Syria has never been a danger to Turkey. The peoples of Turkey should see this reality.

The targets of the attacks also include forces affiliated with the US-Russia and Damascus. Have you had any discussions about this?

As it is known, the Syrian regime is in these regions through the mediation of Russia. Russia and the US are the guarantors of the agreement made after the Serêkaniyê-Girê Spi war. Indeed, there were talks with them. These attacks are being talked about. We cannot say that a clear view has emerged against Turkey's attacks so far. The guarantor powers must fulfil their duties. Erdogan is attacking our regions and our forces are working for a political solution inside Syria with a NATO army. With these attacks, he pushes the solution back.

There is speculation about the creation of a “belt” along the border line. What can you say about this?

The “belt” that Erdoğan talks about coincides essentially with the place where democracy is developing. These are the places where the revolution flourished. He is talking about the Kurdish regions. Erdogan's phobia of Kurds, democracy and human rights in this region is emerging. It wants to destroy the new model that is formed and leading in Syria.

As you know, the belt that Erdogan talks about goes from Derik to Til Rifat and Afrin and is the place where the democracy system was first implemented, and then became a place of unity for Arabs, Turkmen, Syriacs, Circassians and Armenians. This region was leading the implementation of our new model. Erdogan wants to destroy it to achieve his ambitions. He thinks that if he took over the Kurdish regions, society would abandon the revolution and give up its hope of freedom.

How will you respond to possible invasion attacks?

Undoubtedly, all institutions of North-East Syria, especially the legitimate defense institutions YPG-YPJ and SDF, have gone through an important process. Especially after the Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî wars, we gained experience of how to respond to protect ourselves and the revolutionary gains. Today, all forces are self-organized. Accordingly, situations like Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî will not happen again. If attacked, we will respond as necessary.

What are the responsibilities of society?

Our people should take these invasion threats seriously and organize themselves accordingly. Our people must come to the conclusion that this enemy will not stop. Especially the AKP-MHP regime will attack whenever possible.