As Turkey and the Syrian National Army (SNA) paramilitary groups continue to threaten North and East Syrian cities, reactions against this situation continue. Politicians, representatives of non-governmental organisations and mothers of peace evaluated the developments and emphasised that they will stand against the attacks.

 

'WE WILL NOT BOW OUR HEADS'

 

Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Bedlîs (Bitlis) Provincial Co-Chair Fikret Birlik emphasised that the attacks are directed against the Kurdish gains. Birlik said: "Rojavans are defending their home, land and honour. Defence against any kind of attack is legitimate here." 

 

Birlik said that the main target of the attacks against North and East Syria is PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's idea of Democratic Confederalism. "We did not kneel or bow down in the past and we will not bow down again. We are right and victory will be ours against the dirty wars of the gangs. We paid the price, we are ready to pay once again. We will be there wherever there is resistance, vigil and action against these oppressors," he said. 

 

'WE WANT A FREE LIFE'

 

Peace Mother Rabia Kaplan, who lives in Bedlis, reacted to the developments as "Enough is enough". Rabia Kaplan pointed out that those who demand peace should sit around a table with their interlocutors and said: "Kurdish, Turkish, Arab, Persian and all peoples should live in peace and tranquility. We want a free and equal life despite our differences. The government should stop supporting gangs. It should not cause the death of children and people. Steps must be taken for peace as soon as possible. Let's build a common life where all minorities have their rights."

 

'PEOPLES MUST DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES'

 

DEM Party Tetwan (Tatvan) District Co-Chair Sedat Eski said that the gains of Kurds have been targeted by the governments in all historical processes. Pointing out that a great struggle was waged against these attacks, Eski said: "Neither Assad nor anyone else's understanding of governance has worked for years. The Autonomous Administration has managed to ensure peace and tranquility in the region for years. We do not accept attacks on this region with the support of other countries. The Syrian people must be allowed to make their own decisions," he said.

 

'WE DO NOT ACCEPT ARTIFICIAL BORDERS'

 

DEM Party Provincial General Assembly member Berivan Canbey emphasised that the life built in North and East Syria is a great achievement for all oppressed peoples and said: "The paradigm sprouted there attracted the attention of nation states as it became a philosophy of life for all peoples of the world. Hegemonic powers saw the life in Rojava as a danger and launched attacks through gangs. They saw the power of women as a threat to themselves. We will resist with the spirit of Kobanê in 2015 and we will not remain silent against these attacks. We will stand against the attacks against Kurds without recognising artificial borders."

 

'PEACE MUST BE ON THE TABLE' 

 

Rahmi Seven, another party member living in Tetwan, emphasized that there is an attack against the entire people of the region. “Kurds and their friends should form an alliance against these attacks carried out by nation states. The first target of the plan and project is the Kurdish gains and then the entire Middle East. Kurds in every part must be united against this war. Everyone who wants peace with the Kurdish people must be clear. The Kurdish people have been subjected to enough oppression, destruction and denial. They resisted and all these failed. We do not want anyone's right. If peace is desired, (the government) should sit at the table unconditionally and unconditionally,” Seven said. 

 

'WE WILL PROTECT OUR GAINS' 

 

Güler Buğday, a Peace Mother living in Istanbul, interpreted Turkey's policies as “anti-Kurdish”. Güler Buğday said: “Kurds paid a very heavy price in Kobanê. A canton was built with that resistance. Turkey is slaughtering children, women and the elderly with this dirty war. A crime against humanity is being committed. But no matter what they do, Kurds will protect their gains.”

 

The government covets the status of North and East Syria said Güler Buğday and added: “They are uniting with everyone at the table to destroy these gains. When they get stuck, they say 'we are brothers' to the Kurds. If Kurds are your brothers, aren't these people Kurdish children? We want to live like all the peoples of the world. Kurds do not have eyes on the property and possessions of others. We have the right to have status like other peoples. Signboards all over Turkey are written in English and Arabic. Kurds also have the right to live with their language and culture. We have seen many dark days until today. Today we will not give our gains to anyone. We want this war to end now. War is fire, and we say 'enough is enough'.”

 

'MEET WITH ABDULLAH ÖCALAN' 

 

Peace Mother Sabiha Bozan stressed that Turkey has attacked North and East Syria by taking advantage of the governance vacuum in Syria. Sabiha Bozan pointed out that different peoples and beliefs are trying to establish a life together in North and East Syria and emphasized that the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan must be lifted and talks should be initiated to solve the problems. Sabiha Bozan said: “It was said that the DEM Party would meet with Abdullah Öcalan. They stopped that too. Let them meet with Abdullah Öcalan. Let's see what he says and thinks about these issues.” 

 

'BOND WITH KURDS MUST BE ESTABLISHED' 

 

Human Rights Association (IHD) MYK member Hakkı Demir stated that the government is in cooperation with imperial powers against the Kurdish gains. Pointing out that life in North and East Syria is seen as a “danger” by the imperialists, Demir said: “If Turkey wants a peaceful environment in Syria, it should stop establishing relations with gangs and ISIS remnants. We believe that Turkey will become a more respected country in the Middle East and the world if it establishes ties with the Kurds. Because positive steps towards the Kurds in Syria will also strengthen peace in Turkey.” 

 

'POLITICAL CODES MUST CHANGE'

 

DEM Party Akdeniz District Co-Chair Nizar Esen emphasised that the attack against Kurds is a "dead end". "What is the persistence of Turkey's policy that ignores the Kurds? Turkish politicians should find an answer to this question. Why, instead of negotiating with the Kurds, is a policy that confronts the Kurds and ignores the Kurds being pursued? We are still continuing with the politics of trusteeship. Instead of negotiating with the Kurds, the politics of annihilation is still insisted on. Our wish is for Turkey to change its political codes and solve the problems by taking the Kurds as interlocutors. Kurds are the party of peace, not war, in the Middle East," he said. 

 

'LET'S RAISE OUR VOICE'

 

Mustafa Yıldız, co-chair of the Adana Association for Assistance and Solidarity with Families who Lost Relatives in the Mediterranean (AYKAY-DER), said: "Erdoğan, the head of the AKP government, would intervene if there was a Kurdish formation in space. He harbours such a heavy enmity. They have never looked at the Kurds as friends. Today, gangs are paid in dollars. There are so many poor, pensioners and minimum wage earners in Turkey. They should see these. Billions of dollars are being spent on this war. Our call to the peoples of Turkey; they should raise their voices about this situation as soon as possible"