GENEVA - Swedish Left Party leader Jonas Sjöstedt talked to ANF about the Turkish state’s military invasion seeking to invade North and East Syria, and the position of the international community against invasion.

 

Noting that Kurds and their friends have been taking to the streets all around the world to denounce Turkish invasion of northern Syria, Sjöstedt said; “We in the Swedish Left Party call for the Swedish government and other member countries of the European Union to take concrete steps rather than just talking and to do anything in their power to stop the attacks against the people of Rojava.”

 

Sjöstedt pointed out that the Turkish state forces that continue their offensive against northern Syria have also struck the ambulances that were rushing the wounded people to hospitals and force the local population to leave their land.

 

“The people of Rojava mount strong resistance against the second largest military force in NATO. The bombardments and attacks of Turkey are just unacceptable. People are furious over what is going on. Turkey bombards the ally of the international coalition formed to fight against ISIS terrorists. Kurds, together with Christians and other minorities, have defeated the most barbaric terrorist organisation of modern times. The world must thank the Kurds fort his and support them,” said Sjöstedt.

 

The Swedish politician continued; “Furthermore, Kurds have captured and imprisoned thousands of dangerous ISIS terrorists. However, the outside world has betrayed the Kurds. Russia and the US vetoed the motion condemning the Turkish invasion of Rojava, which is shameful.”

 

The Swedish Left Party leader warned that Turkey wanted to commit an ethnic cleansing in Rojava and North Syria after invading these lands; “We know what will happen if the outside world keeps silent on Turkish invasion. We have seen how the Turkish state sent its terrorists to Afrin and how they ravaged the city, expelling the Kurds from their land and committing ethnic cleansing.”

 

Sjöstedt emphasised that the outside world should not allow a repetition of Afrin.

 

Pointing to Turkish President Erdoğan’s repressive mindset and pressures against the Kurds and other minorities in Turkey, Sjöstedt continued; “Erdoğan has never meant to fight the Islamic State. On the contrary, he has assisted them indirectly and purchased oil from them. We know that the jihadists crossed into Syria via Turkey. Erdoğan is an accomplice of the Islamic State.”

 

Sjöstedt criticized Sweden for not suspending arms sale to Turkey like Finland, Norway, the Netherlands and France have done.

 

Remarking that the European Union and United Nations acted passively in the face of Turkish invasion, Sjöstedt added; “It is high time to adopt a clear stand against Turkey. The outside world has betrayed the Kurds many times and left them alone. This should be ended, and sanctions should be imposed on Turkey.”