The ongoing conflicts between Hamas and Israel and between Israel and Lebanon continue to have a serious impact throughout the Middle East. Israel's attacks on Damascus and the bases of Iranian armed groups in Syria have increased tensions in the region, while Turkey's attacks on northern and eastern Syria continue unabated.

 

Democratic Union Party (PYD) Presidency Council member Foza Yûsif spoke to ANF about political developments in the region and political and diplomatic activities in Northern and Eastern Syria.

 

'SYRIA THROWN INTO RING OF FIRE'

 

Foza Yûsif stated that colonialist states have turned the Middle East into a war centre of the world and said that these states act according to their interests. "Today, a great war is taking place throughout the world. This chaos and conflicts affect the Middle East the most. For 200 years, the Middle East has become the centre of colonial wars and conflicts of interest. Great conflicts are taking place in the four parts of Kurdistan. A great war has been going on in Syria, especially in Rojava, for 14 years. The war against Northern and Eastern Syria started with the conscious selection of this region. Unless a political solution and a reconciliation based on the interests of the Syrian peoples is achieved in the region, a lasting peace cannot be possible. For this reason, security problems have increased. The war in Lebanon and Israel's attacks on Iran are also affecting Syria in general. The occupying and colonialist states have thrown Syria into a ring of fire. Rojava is also in the centre of this fire.

 

'WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN OUR DEFENCE'

 

It is located close to the borders of Syria, Turkey and Iraq. Both militarily and politically, the neighbouring states continue their policies against the Kurdish people, which are far from solutions. The occupying Turkish state always conducts its current policy through war and chaos. Turkey's policies and Israel's attacks on Iran and operations against targets in Northern and Eastern Syria are interconnected. Therefore, as a people and movement, we must be prepared for war and conflicts. In the statements of some hegemonic and imperialist states, we witness that they discuss the preparations of the defence forces of Northern and Eastern Syria. While ignoring the threats to Northern and Eastern Syria, they also defend the invasion attacks against Rojava. If we advocate for a lasting peace, we must be prepared for war. Therefore, we need to strengthen our defence," Foza Yûsif said.

 

'WE MUST WORK WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE REVOLUTION'

 

Foza Yûsif underlined the vital importance of self-defence in a process in which the war is growing, and continued as follows: "Our defence and security forces, QSD, YPJ and HPC, are prepared for the possible attacks of the occupying Turkish forces against the people of the region. Yes, there is mobility, but this needs to be further strengthened. It is imperative that our people in general support their sons on the fronts of war. For this reason, our society and our people must support the defence forces with their resistance and defend their country together as always. Everyone living in Northern and Eastern Syria must see themselves as freedom fighters and assume responsibility accordingly, because the right to self-defence is a natural right.

 

Every country now has its own defence and security forces. We, as the components of Northern and Eastern Syria, can defend ourselves against all kinds of attacks and violence with the experience we have gained from the wars in our region. This has been possible thanks to Rêber Apo's philosophy. This will of the Rojava people defeated the ISIS gangs and frustrated the invasion attacks of the Turkish state. Our movement and our forces are trained in line with Rêber Apo's ideas. Our people should stand by the defence forces in the spirit of the Rojava Revolution and carry out their work on this basis. Israel is trying to extend its war against Hezbollah to Syria. Iran, on the other hand, is trying to deepen the conflicts by increasing its armed forces in Syria. Recently, Iran organised attacks against the US bases in Hesekê. As the peoples living in Northern and Eastern Syria, we do not support any side because this war does not serve the interests of the peoples. The current war is based solely on the interests of the occupying states. However, when the war threatens our region, we will defend ourselves within the framework of the revolutionary people's war and put the interests of our people above all else. In this regard, our position as employees and members of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is clear.

 

'TURKEY IS UNDER THREAT OF ATTACK'

 

In addition, the occupying Turkish state threatens to attack the region by taking advantage of the current chaos. Because threats and statements are made in this direction. Turkey aims to benefit from the current chaos and attacks in line with its own interests. As it occupied Serêkaniyê, Girê Spî and Efrîn, it is trying to change the demography of the region by occupying all of Northern and Eastern Syria. If this chaos deepens further, the liberated regions may also be affected. For this reason, it is clear that the people living in the cities under the control of the Syrian regime will want to migrate to the regions of the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria. In order to prevent this situation from further affecting our region, a political solution must be achieved as soon as possible. The position of the Autonomous Administration is very important and meaningful in this regard. Because the Autonomous Administration represents an important work within the unity of Syria. The Autonomous Administration has always shown that it is ready for a solution and negotiations. However, the Damascus regime does not approach and respond to these negotiations. From here, I once again call on the relevant parties; as the peoples of the region, we must strengthen our unity and resist any future attacks together."