Aldar Xelîl: There are changes in the attitude of the Damascus government

PYD co-presidency Council member Aldar Xelîl said that there are some positive signs in the attitude of the Syrian regime and added: “We can see that they have an attitude towards the occupation. Some positive steps will be taken."

PYD co-presidency Council member Aldar Xelîl talked to ANF about the fact that Russia and the US are not ready to offend Turkey to defend Rojava. He underlined the following: "We have not seen their clear stance against the Turkish state until now. They just say, 'The result will not be good, ISIS will revive itself, the fight against ISIS will be affected, the peace and stability of the region will be disturbed'. They don't say stop. We prepare ourselves accordingly. We cannot rely on their attitude; we will not wait for them. We will stand up with our society, relying on ourselves, our self-defense, and our strength.”

The isolation practices against Leader Abdullah Öcalan are about to complete their 15th month. What is the connection between the aggravated isolation and the developments in Kurdistan and the Middle East?

When the international conspiracy began, the main purpose was to isolate and ban Leader Öcalan's philosophy and to prevent it from being an element of possible changes in the Middle East. The system knew it was in crisis. Isolation, attacks, and the prevention of Leader Öcalan's ideas and philosophy continued. Keeping Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] in İmralı was meant to prevent him from playing a major role in the changes.

They have further aggravated the isolation, especially since 2015, as they have seen change and development unfold on a daily basis. They saw that each view of Leader Apo helped the changes. They know that if the democratic freedom project develops with the ideas of Leader Apo, their end will come. And this is why they aggravate the isolation.

On the other hand, in recent years, the Turkish state has been dealt heavy blows. Both internally and externally. The project developing in the region is the project of Leader Apo. They take their revenge on him by aggravating his isolation.

In fact, the arrest and detention of Leader Apo is illegal. Isolation is also an unacceptable crime against humanity. The whole world and humanity, all human rights defenders must oppose it.

The Turkish state targeted Ferhad Şiblî, vice president of the Executive Council of the North-East Syria Autonomous Administration, in the Sulaymaniyah region on 17 June. How do you evaluate this attack?

The Turkish state is against all democratic, socialist and libertarian projects. It does not accept any development that will help solve the Kurdish question and ensure that the Kurds have rights. The Autonomous Administration also creates peace and stability in the region, where Kurds, Arabs, Syrians, Assyrians, Turkmens live together. Turkey does not accept this because it sees that women are liberated, have more willpower, that society is liberated and that the Kurdish question is moving towards a solution. That's why Turkey sees this administration or those working for it as enemies. It attacks us constantly. Finally, Turkey targeted and killed our friend Ferhat.

Looking at the date of the attack on Ferhad Şiblî, the KDP arrested the Autonomous Administration representatives in Hewler in the same period and released them after 112 days of captivity. Is this a coincidence?

When we talk about the AKP-MHP coalition, we know that the KDP is unofficially in this coalition. Officially, the name of the KDP is not mentioned, because it is not located in the Republic of Turkey. The KDP has really been a part of this coalition. It is implementing the projects that the AKP-MHP have for the Kurdish movement. The AKP works in one area, the MHP in another, the KDP in a different one. When the KDP deepened and expanded its alliance with the Turkish state, it became part of the AKP-MHP coalition. It considers itself responsible for the implementation of whatever is planned. This planning is based on the enmity of the Kurdish people and the Freedom Movement.

It was reported in the media that Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu went to the occupied city of Girê Spî a few days ago. How should this visit be analysed?

The Turkish state has occupied Jarablus, Ezaz, Bab, Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spi. There are groups affiliated with him in Idlib as well. All of these regions, from Idlib to Serêkaniyê, are under occupation. Previously, their ministers, administrators and governors often went to these occupation zones. Turkey always says, ‘This is now Turkish territory. We're not going out anyway. On the contrary, we will increase the efforts to expand the Republic of Turkey’. War is a reality. And there is a situation in which a heavier war could begin. Turkey says, ‘We will continue this war and occupy your territories even more.’

The region is already under constant attack. At what level are your preparations for the new possible invasion attack?

In the past, when there were invasion attacks, there was resistance. They were sacred resistances. Many martyrs and wounded were given for this cause. Our people gave good support to this resistance. The deficiencies that emerged in these resistances were solved. Experience was also gained, especially in the organization of society. After the occupation of Afrin, then Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî, research and meetings were held. Why did this happen? Couldn't this resistance be brought to a bigger stage so that there would be no invasion? Now there is the reality of the Revolutionary People's War and of society's involvement in the resistance by organizing itself in this direction. Not only the young people, but everyone will directly take part in this resistance. If this happens, if we add different measures, based on experiences gained in the past wars, if the Turkish state comes, it will be defeated. The Turkish state will see its reality, and we will have an opportunity to liberate the occupied areas.

There is information about bilateral talks between Rojava and Damascus. Has there been any change in the attitude of the Damascus administration in the talks so far?

This time, there are some positive signs in the attitude of the Syrian regime. When there were invasion attacks before, their stance was a bit shy. This time, people see that they have taken an attitude against the occupation. And this we found appropriate. It is their duty, anyway. They should protect the borders of the country. They should show resistance as well as take a stand against the occupation. So far these talks continue. There is hope that we will make progress in this respect. Undoubtedly, the process is not what it used to be. Some positive steps will be taken.

What is the attitude towards the possible invasion attack in the negotiations with the guarantor powers in the region such as the US and Russia?

The presence of great powers in the region depends on the fact that all of them have separate plans and projects. They really are not ready to offend Turkey to help us. On this basis, we will not wait for what they will or will not do. If they show a positive attitude, it's good, we don't say no. But we cannot rely on their attitude; we will not wait for them. So far, we have not seen a clear attitude towards the Turkish state. They just say, ‘The result will not be good, ISIS will revive itself, the fight against ISIS will be affected, the peace and stability of the region will be disturbed’. They don't say stop. Therefore, we prepare ourselves accordingly. If there is a war, we will show great resistance. We will stand up with our society, relying on ourselves, our self-defense, and our strength.