Avashin Zagros, one of the commanders of the Women's Defense Units (YPJ), spoke to the ANF on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of the invasion of Afrin.

Recalling that the genocidal Turkish state started to carry out barbaric attacks on Afrin on January 20, 2018, Zagros said, “Against these attacks, the YPJ / YPG forces and the people of Afrin fought together against the occupation and many of them were martyred. The occupying Turkish state brought gangs more than the population of Afrin itself and carried out attacks using the most advanced weapons. Such an aggression can only be described as barbarism in the 21st century. They attacked everyone including women, children and the elderly. There was no justification for these attacks. Undoubtedly, these attacks were carried out with the support and approval of the hegemonic powers, yet the whole world and humanity must be sensitive to this barbaric occupation and plunder and determine their humanitarian stance.”

“WOMEN ARE SUBJECTED TO SEXUAL ASSAULTS”

Referring to the rape policy of the Turkish state and its gangs in Afrin, Zagros said the following: "Although the whole world is ignoring it, for three years now, crimes of rape have been committed against women by the occupying Turkish state forces and its gangs in Afrin. Every day, crimes of rape and kidnapping have been committed against women. The official language of the invading Turkish state is imposed on the children of Afrin. The language and culture of Afrin are denied, and historical heritage is shaped according to their own world view. The Turkish state changes the demography of Afrin with a revival of Ottomanism and considers this as legitimate for itself."

“WE WILL END THE OCCUPATION OF OUR COUNTRY”

Avaşin Zagros concluded with the following: “We will definitely liberate Afrin; we will not leave it to the invaders. In the same way we fought against the attacks with our people based on our self-power, we will resist the attacks with the same spirit and determination to liberate Afrin."

"We will resist the attacks with the same spirit and determination to liberate Afrin, just as we fought against the attacks with our people based on our own self-determination. We are in unity with our people. Just as we made a revolution together and freed the Yazidi women from ISIS gangs, we will save our country from the invaders and put an end to the occupation together with our people. As the YPJ forces, we have always led the people of the region in the war. We will also lead the freedom war in Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. No matter what happens, the genocidal fascist Turkish state occupation will be doomed to defeat on these lands."