According to reports from Rojava’s media, the Turkish army and its jihadist proxies resumed their failed 36-day-long attacks on Monday, January 13, aiming to capture the Tishrin Dam from the directions of Kobani and Manbij, through both ground and air assaults. These attacks were repelled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the People’s Defense Units (YPG) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), who inflicted dozens of casualties on the enemy and destroyed their tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment, forcing them to retreat. However, seven SDF fighters also lost their lives and were laid to rest amidst the grief and anger of the people. Attendees at the funerals vowed to continue resisting until the complete defeat of the Turkish army and its mercenaries in their efforts to seize the Tishrin Dam and the city of Kobani. Reports indicate that the resistance at the Tishrin Dam has now entered its 37th day and continues unabated, despite intensified aerial attacks by Turkey using fighter jets, drones, and heavy weaponry.
Despite the enemy’s access to advanced technology, these attacks have so far been repelled. Shiraz Nidal, an Arab fighter and member of the SDF, spoke to reporters about the fighters’ high morale, saying, “The Turkish government cannot break our will. With their fighter jets, heavy weaponry, and drones, they cannot defeat us, and we will not abandon the resistance.”
Jamila Shaheen, the mother of the fallen (guerrilla) fighter Agid, expressed her sentiments during the burial ceremony, stating:
“Our sons and daughters resist for freedom. In this path, we will give our lives without hesitation. My message to Agid’s comrades is to rise up; they too are Agid. We are here and will remain here.”
Amina Mustafa, spokesperson for the women of Chalabi district, emphasized:
“Kobani will remain a thorn in the throat of the Turkish government and its criminals. From seven years old to seventy, we will support our forces. Why does no one question where these ISIS criminals come from? We will resist until the end victory or victory. There is no turning back.”
At the same time, the new forces controlling Damascus, Syria’s capital, are engaging in conspiracies against the Democratic Self-Administration of North and East Syria instead of responding positively to its call for establishing a democratic government in the country. For instance, on Friday, January 10, the new Syrian government announced that its General Security Directorate had intercepted a car bomb coming from SDF-controlled areas toward Aleppo. The SDF immediately released a statement rejecting this accusation and expressed its readiness to help uncover the facts. The statement highlighted that the area between SDF-controlled regions and Aleppo is filled with armed opposition groups supported by Ankara, whose interests lie in destabilizing security and stability.
On Saturday, January 11, the Democratic Self-Administration of North and East Syria issued a call to the international community to pressure Turkey to stop bombing the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River. The call emphasized that the SDF would not allow the Turkish army and its criminals to capture this vital dam, though the heavy bombardment poses a risk of the dam collapsing. The self-administration warned that the destruction of the dam could have catastrophic consequences, including severe environmental damage, widespread flooding, heavy human losses, and the destruction of infrastructure. Alongside appealing for international assistance, the self-administration has also sent delegations to other parts of Kurdistan to raise awareness and seek support from other revolutionary forces.
The motto of the Democratic Self-Administration officials is:
“The future of Rojava depends on the resistance of the people and revolutionary forces!”
As long as the people support their progressive and militant forces, as long as no division arises between the people and the governing forces due to discrimination or mismanagement, and as long as the people are not alienated from their leadership, this resistance will continue.
