Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has taken control of a large part of Aleppo after the Syrian army withdrew. Turkey and the paramilitary forces it supports also attacked Shahba and Till Rifaat regions where more than 200 thousand people live. Most of the citizens who were forced to migrate due to the attacks were settled in Tebqa region. 

 

Following these attacks, Turkey and paramilitary groups launched an attack against Minbic, Til Torîn, Yalanî, El Boxaz, Qerwêran villages of Minbic are bombarded with heavy weapons. On the other hand, there are occasional clashes between the Minbic and Tebqa Military Council and paramilitary groups. The Syrian Democratic Forces (QSD) announced its readiness to defend the region.

 

Salih Muslim, former co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), evaluated the developments in North & East Syria. 

 

‘200 THOUSAND PEOPLE RETREATED TO SAFE AREAS’

 

Stating that HTS is a ‘remnant’ of ISIS and includes many different jihadist groups, Salih Muslim said: ‘Turkey was feeding them in Idlib. HTS is a bit more disciplined than the FSA. However, the others are unorganised gangs and they act together. Both of them are Kurdish enemies. These groups are heading towards Shahba. There are 7 refugee camps there. They are the camps where those coming from Afrin are sheltered. 200-300 thousand people were staying there. They encircled the camp and started threats and massacres. They brutally killed tens of people. Kurdish forces withdrew from there in order not to endanger the lives of civilians there. Now they are moving civilians to safe areas. For now, 150-200 thousand people have withdrawn to safe areas.’ 

 

‘THERE IS NO PROGRESS OF GANGS IN MINIBIC’ 

 

Reminding that attacks were launched against Minbic as well as the Kurdish neighbourhoods in Aleppo, Muslim said: ‘Partial attacks are being carried out on Minbic. Our forces are responding. The gangs do not have any progress. They usually carry out their attacks on the roads on the borders of Minbic. There is no danger towards the centre for the moment. Our forces there are sufficient and they can defend themselves. Their roads are also open with our other regions.’ 

 

‘WE ARE PREPARING FOR A REVOLUTIONARY PEOPLE'S WAR’

 

Pointing out that Turkey wants to seize the west of the Euphrates, including Minbic, Muslim said: ‘Turkey's goals are clear. They want to destroy the autonomous administration. To what extent they will achieve this depends on our resistance. Kurds have no choice but resistance. We are preparing for the revolutionary people's war.’

 

Stating that the US has not taken any steps against the threats against North & East Syria, Müslim said, ‘"They do not have any serious moves other than saying 'we want the clashes to stop'."

 

MA / Fırat Can Arslan