The General Command of Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) released a statement in the wake of last night’s air raids by the Turkish state that targeted several locations and killed not only members of military forces but also civilians.

“Last night’s attacks directed at the Dêrik, Kobanê, Eyn Îsa, Dirbêsiyê, Zirgan, Şehba and Til Rifat regions of Rojava and North-East Syria are a massacre committed by fascism,” said the YPJ statement on Sunday, which further included the following:

“Despite the fact that fascist Erdoğan cites the provocation in Istanbul as an excuse for the aggression, it is known to everyone that preparations to attack Rojava and North-East Syria territories have been planned long ago. The terror regime of Erdoğan is attacking our regions today with a genocidal mentality in the same way as it killed its very own people. Yet, the AKP-MHP fascism should know that they will not succeed.

We know that our people will defend their lands, which are covered with the blood of ten thousand martyrs, and claim their patriotism and values. The women and young people in Rojava and North-East Syria should take their places in positions to defend their territories against attacks.

We offer our condolences to the heroes who lost their lives in this massacre, and wish the injured a speedy recovery. Let our people know that those killed will be avenged. These attacks by the Turkish terrorist state are neither the first nor the last. We have never bowed to these attacks and we shall never take a step back. With our victorious culture of resistance, we will fight everywhere and defeat this genocidal mentality of the terror regime.”