Tag Archives: Ayn al-Arab

Mutlu Çiviroğlu 07:01 on November 17, 2014
Tags: #ShowYourV4YPG, , , Ayn al-Arab, , , , , , , ,   

Anwar Moslem: Everyone Supporting Us Has a Share in Kobane Resistance

Enwero

Anwar Moslem

The Premier of the Kobane Canton Anwar Moslem told us about the final situation in the region as well as the recent visit he paid to Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Mr. Anwar, you have been on a visit to Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Before talking about this visit, I want to ask you about the final situation in Kobane. Reports that YPG are making an advance and taking more areas under their control are coming through over the past couple of days. What is the current situation in Kobane?

The resistance in Kobane has left two months behind. Within this period, Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) have managed to put up an effective fight against the heavy terror attacks of ISIS, also with the support of the coalition forces. The aerial operations by coalition forces against ISIS positions and their heavy weaponry have both weakened the power of ISIS and bolstered the YPG’s morale.

It is true that YPG forces are making progress in recent days. YPG fighters have retaken 5 neighborhoods in east Kobane under control. YPG forces are in the same way advancing in south Kobane. The danger before civilians and the town however remains. The ISIS which has suffered a heavy defeat wants to devastate this city of resistance and to murder civilians vengefully. They are being responded by the YPG, peshmerga forces, Free Syrian Army (FSA) attacks on the ground and effective aerial attacks of the coalition. Thus we can say that the situation in general is good. We believe the Kobane resistance will soon end up in victory.

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During our recent talks with Kobane we have observed that the morale is high. There has always been hope in your voice but this time you are seen to be more hopeful. Is this true?

All our American and European brothers and sisters, regardless of their color and race, and the whole world have supported the YPG against the ISIS terror. It is surely beyond doubt that this made us happy and gave hope to us. This is why we say that everyone supporting us has a share in the Kobane resistance. The advance the YPG are making with this support does really make one feel happy and honored.

Well, what about your visit to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region? You were invited to a conference. How were you welcomed by the media, politicians and people?

We as the presidency of the Kobane Canton were invited to the MERI Forum 2014 Conference in Erbil. We went there to attend the conference which discussed the subject of peace and equality in the Middle East. Participants from states such as Iraq, Syria and Turkey mainly focused on this subject, as well as on the peace process in North Kurdistan. The instance of Kobane in the fight against ISIS was also discussed. It was pointed out that ISIS would be able to advance nowhere if faced a resistance like the one in Kobane everywhere. We met authorities from the political arena and the government, as well as independent ones and representatives of institutes for strategic studies from America, England and Turkey. The whole world wants to do something against terror. They also want to do something for the rights of the Kurdish people in Syria and Iraq, and the rights of the minorities living in the north of Kurdistan. These were the main issues discussed at the conference.

You said you held talks with some authorities. Whom did you meet there?

We met the Iraqi President, Mr. Fuad Masum who voiced support with Kobane and stated that Iraq was suffering from the same ISIS problem Kobane is facing.

Fuad MAsum Enwer

We also met the former Iraqi President Mr. Mam Jalal [Talabani] who in the same way voiced support with Kobane. The other meetings we had were with Mrs. Hero Talabani, Dr. Bahram Salih, all executives of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), as well as Noshirvan Mustafa, the leader of the Goran Movement and Cemil Bayik [of the PKK]. They all expressed that they supported us.

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Besides, we had some other meetings at the Kurdistan Parliament to which we expressed our thanks for the peshmerga support sent to Kobane. We met the executives of all parties in the parliament. What we have seen once again is that all Kurdish powers are supporting Kobane, opposing terror and defending peace for humanity all around the world. Some authorities from America and European states we talked with also voiced support for Kobane.

How do these mentioned American and European authorities assess the developments in Kobane? Did you highlight any demand for help and do they intend to do something in practice?

The developments taking place in Kobane and the ISIS terror are being followed closely by everyone. The whole world wants to unite against terror which Kobane is withstanding in practice for eight months now. We expressed to the American and European officials that Kobane is fighting a terrorist organization that targets not only our region but the entire world. We told that everyone must support Kobane and reiterated our demand for a security corridor. We also called attention to the situation of the displaced people in the face of challenging winter conditions approaching. They stated that they were ready to provide any help, and that they could provide further assistance, in economic, medical and other terms, in the wake of victory in Kobane.

Is there any reason why you didn’t meet Kurdistan Regional Government leader Massoud Barzani?

As is known by everyone, there is a war going on in the Kurdistan Region under attack by the ISIS. Mr. Barzani was on the battlefield while we were on the other hand short on time and therefore couldn’t have a chance for a meeting. Just like with the officials of all other parties, we held talks with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) as well.

Let me continue with questions coming from readers via Twitter. It is being said that 200 fighters affiliated to the Syrian Kurdish National Council (SKNC) will cross into Kobane, while it is on the other hand being asserted that they are not being allowed to do so by the canton administrators or the YPG. What do you have to say in this regard?

We want everyone to join the defense force in Kobane. We called all forces from across Kurdistan to support the YPG. As a force of Rojava, the SKNC must help us already. That unit of 200 fighters should have been not outside but inside Kobane by now. The Duhok Agreement has put forward a solution regarding such military issues which are under the initiative of the YPG in the canton, which means that the truth is not being reflected by the reports that administrators of political parties in the canton are not allowing the crossing of SKNC fighters. We invite everyone able to take up arms to Kobane in order to protect their lands and honor. However, it is unfortunately only the YPG left in Kobane. We however express once again that anyone can come to defend Kobane but no special force from outside can be allowed inside where the presence of two armies cannot be accepted. They can rank among the YPG which is not a political but a military force defending the Kobane canton and Rojava, and is also one of the main future forces of Syria.

So, this means the SKNC members do not want to fight under the name of the YPG, is that right?

It is, unfortunately. At this point I want to express something; the peshmerga forces here are supporting the YPG and Kobane and there is taking place no conflict or disagreement about that. Fighters of the Tuwar al-Raqqa, Shams al-Shamal and Jabhat al-Akrad groups are also present here, coming from outside to support Kobane. The youths of Kobane do not need to say that ‘we are defending here as an outsider force’ as they should be ranking among the YPG ranks anyway. Should they insist on being a separate force, this would make no good for the future and result in unfavorable consequences. We state once again that the YPG is the army of the canton and the entire Rojava territory; it is not the army of any party, as has also been approved by the Duhok Agreement. The unfair treatment against the YPG hurts us because of the fact that it is the fighters of the YPG that are fighting, getting wounded and falling a martyr here. The whole world knows the YPG reality now. While a youth coming from Sweden joins the YPG ranks to fight for humanity, why wouldn’t the youths of Kobane do the same?

One other question directed by readers is whether there has been a change in Turkey’s approach towards Kobane.

We and Turkey are neighbors. Turks, Kurds, Arabs and others are all the peoples of the Middle East. We hoped Turkey would support us but they didn’t provide the assistance we expected. We want to re-voice that ISIS is an enemy to not only Kobane and the Kurds but also to all the states and peoples of the world. For the attainment of peace in the Middle East, Turkey must support Kobane and the YPG, just like us supporting the peace process in the north of Kurdistan and Turkey.

As I have repeatedly stated so far, it is humanity, democracy and all peoples being defended in Kobane. The solidarity demonstrated by the whole world for Kobane on November 1st and the support provided by the international coalition has been important to us. We hope this support will continue for the YPG and Kobane, as well as for the protection of all peoples including Kurds, Armenians, Syriacs, Arabs and Turks.

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For my participation to a show, interview me or get a quote on Kobane and other Kurdish related issues, please contact me at mciviroglu@gmail.com

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Thanks for Berna Özgencil for translating this interview into English

Mutlu Çiviroğlu 06:57 on October 9, 2014
Tags: airtrikes, , Ayn al-Arab, , besieged Syrian town, centcom, , France 24 Kobani, , , , , Kobane Analyst Mutlu Civiroglu, , , , , Kurdish Analyst Mutlu Civiroglu, , , Kurdish town, , , Mursitpinar, , , NPR Kobani, , Suruc, , Syria Expert Mutlu Civiroglu, , , ,   

Premier of Kobane Anwar Moslem: The Fall of Kobane Would Be the Fall of Humanity

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Anwar Moslem on the right with dark shirt

In an exclusive interview conducted on Wednesday, Ovober 8, 20014, the Premier of local Kurdish Kobane Canton administration Anwar Moslem provides important update about Kobane and ongoing ISIS attacks against the city.

Mutlu Civiroglu https://twitter.com/mutludc

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Mr. Moslem, what’s the current situation in Kobane?

ISIS hasn’t withdrawn yet. ISIS is still in the eastern, southeastern and southern [parts of the town. They are a little away from the western section. Clashes continue so far. Fierce ffightings are taking place. They aim for a massacre. There are thousands of civilians here; children, women and elderly. As the resistance is in its 24th day, they want to crush it spitefully with all the civilians as well. The fact is there is heroic resistance here by Kurdish Protection Units (YPG). American and coalition air strikes are very welcome here by our forces and the Canton administration.

Tell me about the civilians inside Kobane. There are reports that all civilians left the city?

Claims that there are no civilians in Kobane are false. Nobody can, nobody dares to get out of their homes as there are fierce clashes and flying bullets everywhere. There are thousands of civilians under the ISIS threat. Some are here in the city; some others are close to the border. Their situation is getting worse and dangerous. Some media say Kobane is empty. It’s not true. There are civilians even in the villages ISIS has overrun. Their situation too is dangerous. I repeat that there are civilians in the town. I can’t give you an exact number, but there are thousands of civilians here. If the media wants we can provide pictures and interviews with civilians. Our main purpose in calling the international community is protecting these civilians, children and women.

American and coalition air strikes have had effective results in the last two days. When jets strike civilians in the city cheer up. They salute American jets. Defense Ministry of the Kobane administration said, in a statement, that our YPG forces and the coalition partners can root out ISIS from the Middle East.

You mentioned airstrikes. How effective are today’s air strikes?

They are effective today as well. But we cannot know how much exactly. As the fighting rages on we can’t determine the effect. We are in touch with our forces who witness air strikes. But they are usually busy in fighting ISIS militants. We don’t want to keep them busy, so we avoid calling them frequently.

The jets carry out a good mission, especially for the well-being of civilians. That’s why the continuation of air strikes in Kobane against ISIS is important. The destruction of ISIS’s tanks, Humvees and other heavy vehicles is of utmost importance. Today they carried out a car bomb attack. That’s why American, British, French and all other coalition partner’s jets should continue targeting ISIS in Kobane Canton. ISIS receives reinforcement from Tal Abyad and Raqqah. The coalition partners should be tracking them better. They must stop them. So that we can finish them off inside Kobane and save the civilians.

Some media reports claim these airstrikes are useless. Are they?

No, they are pretty effective in last two days. As the head of the Canton Administration, I recognize the fact that they are helpful and effective. ISIS militants are using artillery they brought from Mosul, and it is used against the civilians as well. So why should the coalition stop the bombardment? The coalition is saving these civilians and the canton. So be it known by all sides that YPG on the ground with the American and coalition jets overhead can fight ISIS off.

Is YPG capable of expelling ISIS from Kobane?

Yes, as long as their artillery, vehicles and tanks are destroyed, new reinforcements are cut off; we don’t have anti-tank weaponry by the way, our forces can finish them off. YPG has promised to annihilate those thugs.

What about YPG loses and injuries? How many ISIS fighters were killed?

YPG and Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) are the sons and daughters of this people. Most of these fighters are in their twenties. They fight against ISIS looters, thieves whose aim is destruction.

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Arin Mirkan

ISIS commits inhuman actions; they behead even our girls. YPG and YPJ are fighting against such a cruel terrorist group.

A young Kurdish woman Arin Mirkan who was a YPJ commander chose to detonate herself among a group of ISIS members. Rather than surrendering to ISIS, she chose sacrificing her life such in such heroic way.

But, we are hopeful that our forces with the help of the coalition partners can fight ISIS till they are annihilated, and we can rebuild peace and stability once more.

What about the reaction of people around the globe to your case? American people are deeply concerned that the Kobane will fall. Similarly people in other corner of the world have similar concerns for you.

ACW

The memory of 9/11 is with us. We especially want to reach out to the American people and their government. We know their suffering too. We remember terrorist attacks against civilians in Spain, France and elsewhere. We are aware of what happened innocent journalists and aid workers at terrorists’ hands.

We, as the administration of Kobane Canton, call upon all sides to challenge the threat together as to create security. We believe in support of the American people and people all over the world.

I would like to tank all human rights defenders in becoming a voice for the voiceless Kobane. I am very grateful on behalf of the people of Kobane. I want everyone to know that fall of Kobane would be the fall of humanity. I therefore appeal everyone to stand up for Kobane and stand with us in these very difficult days.

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If you want my participation to a show, interview me or get a quote on Kobane and other Kurdish related issues, please contact me at mciviroglu@gmail.com

You can follow me on Twitter for latest updates from Kobani  https://twitter.com/mutludc

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This interview was translated from Kurdish into English by Ê Din

Mutlu Çiviroğlu 04:01 on October 4, 2014
Tags: Ayn al-Arab, Besieged Kurdish city, , , , ISIS Massacre, , , , Kurdish Demo, Kurdish Protest, Kurdish Protest in Washington, Kurds in Washington, , , , , , ,   

Kurdish Demo in Support Besieged Kurdish City Kobani, Washington, DC

KOBANI NEEDS YOUR VOICE! *

Kobani_ISIS

Dear Community members, human rights activists and peace advocates,

The Kurdish city of Kobani (aka Kobane / Ayn al-Arab) in Northern Syria has been under brutal attack by the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS/ ISIL/ IS) for 20 days now.

Despite the heroic resistance of the Kurdish Protection Units (YPG) and the people of Kobani, ISIS has the advantage of sophisticated US weapons it seized from the Iraqi Army in Mosul and has surrounded the city.

Unfortunately, the Kurds only have light weapons, which are no match for the heavy ISIS weapons such as Humvees and Abrams tanks.

If the international coalition against ISIS does not act immediately by carrying out more effective airstrikes against ISIS around Kobani, a large scale massacre similar to that carried out by ISIS against the Ezidi community in Sinjar, is imminent.

While we applaud President Obama for his determination in “degrading and destroying ISIS”, we are saddened by his inaction against ISIS in its attack on Kobani.

If the international community, especially the US, does not act immediately, thousands of people will face execution by ISIS.

As the leader of free world, the US has the moral responsibility to support the Kurds, who are fighting against ISIS both in Syria and in Iraq.

The coming hours are fateful and pivotal for the people of Kobani. We need to stand up and make our voices heard, to the White House and to the entire world.

Please join us in front of the White House in an effort to draw public attention to this very critical situation.

When: October 4, 2014

Where: In front of the White House

What Time: 3:00 pm

* This statement was sent by the Greater Washington Area Kurdish Community

Mutlu Çiviroğlu 19:23 on October 2, 2014
Tags: , Ayn al-Arab, , , , ,   

Kobane Defense Minister Ismet Hasan Warns About a Massacre in Kobane

Kurdish Woman Kobane
We spoke with Kobane Defense Minister Ismet Sheikh Hasan about the situation in the city
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According to reports last night, Kobane is about to fall, or there is a possibility it might fall. What is the situation now?
Yes it is true. Generally, the clashes are ongoing in the surrounding areas of Kobane. The clashes that started 18 days ago are still continuing. ISIS is attacking Kobane with all its force and heavy weaponry. We only have light arms. We are fighting with Kalashnikovs and RPGs. This is the situation as of now, and they have not been able to enter Kobane until now. We are defending Kobane. They have surrounded Kobane on all sides but we are defending the city. They are attacking us with their artillery and tanks.
Why have they not been able to enter the city? Is it because they are waiting for something or is it down to your resistance?
We are upholding a historical resistance. In many places, in Helunce village on the east side there are many dead bodies they have left lying there. They were unable to progress from the east side. As it is well known, they are able to bring reinforcements and ammunition from Raqqa, Hasakah and Aleppo. Last night around 10pm-12am they attacked once more tanks and and artilleries and were able to breach the border of the city.
You had also said yesterday that they were able to bring reinforcements from Raqqa and the other districts. How are they able to come so easily? I thought there were air strikes against them by America and the coalition. Were these ineffective?
I don’t know. I haven’t seen new air strikes. However, 3-4 days ago they had hit a tank and a vehicle of theirs in an air strike. The place they hit last night was a village called Muburba in the east side of Kobane. I never saw any other air strike. If they have so much air power, why don’t they use it? They couldn’t have progressed so much. They could not have brought so many reinforcements.
According to some experts, ISIS is now too close to the city so air strikes are now pointless. It is said that ISIS and YPG are intertwined at the moment. They also say that ISIS has changed tactics and is no longer moving in convoys but in smaller groups so that the planes cannot spot them. What do you say to this?
I can say that ISIS are NOT inside of town. They are outside. I can show their location to whoever wants. All their forces are in Mezra Dawud village in a house with red brick which is 4-5 kilometers far away from the east of Kobane. From the West, they are in Yedoqe Village near the broadcast center [radio center which is 2 km far from Kobane] and in school of Gulmet Village and Alpanore. They are there and [US] can bomb them. Again, there are no ISIS forces inside of Kobane.
Why is this kind of information coming out then? Is it on purpose or accidental?
I would say that there are plans for Kobane. Some are thinking about their own interests, some people, states, I don’t know maybe they are spreading this information. But these are not true. They haven’t entered Kobane, they are outside Kobane. If they really wanted they could strike ISIS, even their headquarters.
I want to come back to Kobane. What is the situation of the people in Kobane? Those of you in the administration, what do you think? 
We are all living in Kobane, with our children. Two of my children are on the front lines. We will not leave Kobane, we will stay. We will resist in Kobane. We are the YPG/YPJ, those that want to combat terrorism, the whole world has shut its eyes, they don’t want too see us or listen to us. They want ISIS to succeed and not the Kurdish people.
Have you received any help from the Kurds of other parts?
Until now we have not received any help from the whole world. Only some people from the North [Kurdistan], civilized people from the North have come. Other than that no one has come and no ammunition or help has reached us. Some humanitarian aid and people have come from the North to help defend Kobane; but they are not trained and are inexperienced, we will train them.
If ISIS come, if they enter the city what will you do? Will you leave the city or will you fight?
We will resist to the end. Even if there is only one of us left we will fight for Kobane. Now we have made preparations for a fight in the city, and so we will fight in the city to the end, we will not leave Kobane for no one. The whole world is claiming that they are fighting terror; our call to them is where are they? Why are they not fighting terror? They have beheaded so many people, they took 6 people from the village of Murade, they were civilians and they beheaded two of them. The truth is the whole world has shut its eyes and don’t want to see or hear what is going on. We want to call upon those countries that are fighting against terrorism. It is the matter of time ISIS enters the city and commit a large scale massacre against the people in Kobane as happened in Sinjar. They [US and coalition] need to strike ISIS targets before too late. Threat of ISIS is not only for the Kurds but also for the entire world. Today it is the Kurds, tomorrow it will be someone else. If a massacre takes place tomorrow, international community will be responsible.
What do you think of the reaction shown by the Kurds as a people? The Kurds in Europe, or in the other parts; for example the Kurds of Diyarbakir have not opened their shops to protest ISIS. 
It is not enough. The Kurds everywhere must walk to government institutions around the whole world, they must make the world aware that these are terrorists, we want all our Kurds in Europe in whichever country they are in and make their feelings known to these countries and the institutions there. The whole world is standing by as we fight with ISIS, there is no force that can defeat ISIS but us. They should make the whole world aware of this.
Mutlu Çiviroğlu 21:52 on September 25, 2014
Tags: Ayn al-Arab, , , , , , ,   

Polat Can ile Amerikan Hava Saldirilari ve Kobanê Üzerine

A female YPG fighter in Kobane

Mutlu Çiviroğlu https://twitter.com/mutludc

Sayın Polat Can, Amerika ve koalisyondaki diğer ülkeler Suriye’de IŞİD’e yönelik saldırılara başladılar birkaç gün önce. Bu saldırıların büyük bir tehlike ile karşı karşıya kalan Kobanê üzerindeki etkisi ne oldu?

Polat Can: IŞİD birkaç gündür diğer bölgelerdeki saldırılarını durdurup bütün gücüyle sadece Kobanê’ye yönelmiş durumda. Ne rejime karşı ne de başka bir şehirde IŞİD’in saldırısı söz konusu değil. Birçok şehirden, Rakka’dan, Tilhemîs’ten, Minbic, Carablus ve daha birçok şehirden topladığı güç ile Kobanê’ye saldırıyor IŞİD. Kullanılan ağır silahlara, tanklara ve toplara karşı YPG yaklaşık on gündür çok onurlu bir direniş sergiliyor. Bu direniş ve bu irade karşısında IŞİD ne kadar kırılıyorsa da, askeri mühimmat olarak çok büyük olduğu bilinen bir gerçek. Biz uzun suredir IŞİD’in Kobanê’ye girişini engellemek, yavaşlatmak için direniyoruz doğal olarak, onları durdurmak istiyoruz ama karşımızdaki güç çok fazla. Bunun için de pratikte bir an önce bir müdahele olmalı, ve IŞİD’e karşı savaşan güçer bize yardım etmeliler.

Peki, bu yardımı kimden istiyorsunuz? Bir bilgi kirliliği söz konusu. Birçok kişi Amerika’nın Kobanê bölgesinde IŞİD’e saldırdığını söylerken Rêdûr Xelîl de saldırıların olmadığını söyledi birkaç saat önce. Siz neler diyeceksiniz bu konu hakkında?

Polat Can: Altını çizerek söylüyorum, Amerika’nın ya da koalisyondaki hiçbir ülkenin Kobanê bölgesinde IŞİD’e yönelik bir saldırısı gerçekleşmedi şu ana kadar. Birkaç uçağın uçtuğu doğrudur fakat bu uçakların kime ait olduğu bile belli değil henüz. Türkiye’nin de olabilir bu uçaklar, Suriye rejiminin de. Biz yardım derken YPG’ye yardımdan da bahsetmiyoruz, Kürt halkına yardımdan bahsediyoruz. Ölümün pençesinde olan, Şengal’de yaşanlar ile yüz yüze kalan Kobanê halkına henüz bir yardım yapılmadı.

Peki, nedir bunun sebebi? IŞİD’e karşı bir koalisyon oluşturan bu ülkeler sivil insanların hayatları bu kadar tehlikede iken nasıl bu kadar kayıtsız kalabiliyorlar?

Polat Can: Biz de bu soruya bir cevap arıyoruz. Fakat onlar da bazı sorulara cevap aramalı. Kürtlerin hayatları bu kadar ucuz mu? Bir katliam tehlikesine maruz kalan, Kobanili 600 bin Kürdün hayatı bu kadar ucuz mu? Bir takım siyasi çıkarlar için konuşan bazı ülkeler, yine bir takım siyasi anlaşmazlıklar yaşayan Kürt partileri, Kürtlerin hayatların çok ucuz mu sayıyor? Zor durumda kalan bu millete en tehlikeli bir zamanda yardım etmeyeceklerse o zaman biz IŞİD’e karşıyız, biz terörizme karşıyız demesinler kimseye.

Yani bazı Kürt partileri Amerika ve koalisyonun IŞİD’e saldırmasına karşı çıkıyor, öyle mi demek istiyorsunuz?

Polat Can: Evet aynen bunu demek istiyorum. Bu tutumlarını devam ettirirlerse bu Kürt partilerinin isimlerini de açıklarız. Çünkü kurduğumuz bazı temaslarda aldığımız bilgiler doğrultusunda bazı Kürt partilerin Amerika’nın IŞİD’e saldırılarını engellemek istediğini biliyoruz.

Bir Kürt partisi neden bu saldırıları engelleyip binlerce Kürdün öldürülmesine yol açsın ki?

Polat Can: Çünkü bu zor zamandan bazı kesimler insanları düşünmek yerine kendi basit çıkarlarını düşünüyorlar. Bu onlar için bir fırsat, tam da zamanı diyorlar, gittikçe yenilgiye yaklaştığımızı düşünüyorlar ve sonrasında pazarlıklarla kendi isteklerini gerçekleştirmek istiyorlar. Bu insanlığa ve Kürtlüğe yakışmayan bir şey. Hangi parti olursa olsun Kürt halkının bu zor zamanında yanında olmalı. Ki ben bahsettiğim bu partilerin yardım için YPG’ye bir tek kurşun bile vermediğini söylemeyebilirim. Kimse yardım istemediğimiz iddiasında bulunmasın, biz bütün Kürtlere sesleniyoruz.

Peki, bahsettiğiniz bu partilerin durumun ne kadar tehlikeli olduğunun farkındalar mı?

Polat Can: Durumun tehlikeli olduğunu sizden de bizden de çok daha iyi biliyorlar.

Kürt medyası hakkında neler diyeceksiniz? Kimi haberler doğrulanmadan yayınlanıyor ve durumun Kobanê’de çok iyi olduğu söyleniyor sürekli, neler diyeceksiniz?

Polat Can: Kaç gündür sürekli savaş halinde olduğumuz için medyayı takip etme fırsatımız olmadı. Biz halkımızın umudunu kaybetmesini istemiyoruz fakat durum kötü. Herkes bilsin ki, Kürdistan’ın dört bir yanından destek için gelen Kürt gençleriyle kanımızın son damlasına kadar direneceğiz. Gerekirse  Stalingrad Direnişini Kobanê’de tekrarlayacağız.

Medya konusuna dönecek olursak, durumun çok iyi olduğunu yazan kimi medya kuruluşları yüzünden temas halinde olduğumuz ülkeler ile anlaşmazlıklar yaşıyoruz. Biz bir şey söylerken onlar bizi dinlemeyip farklı bir şey yazıp çiziyorlar.

Yapılan yanlış açıklamalar ve haberler savaş cephesinden haberdar olmamak ile ilgili bir şey olabilir mi? Çünkü uluslararası kuruluşlar bazen Kobanê’deki yetkililerin söylediği şeyler üzerinden açıklama yapıyorlar.

Polat Can: Evet yanlış haberler ve açıklamalar bizi çok kötü etkiliyor. Mesela dün Amerikan uçaklarının Kobanê’de IŞİD’e saldırdığını söylemiş, yazmış herkes, fakat biz yüzde yüz eminiz ki herhangi bir saldırı gerçekleşmemiş. Saldırmayı bırakın henüz Amerika’nın Kobanê’de IŞİD’e saldırması yönünde alınmış bir saldırı kararı da yok.

Peki, Kürtler dünyanın dikkatini Kobanê’ye çekmek için neler yapmalılar?

Polat Can: Öncelikle bütün dünya bilsin ki kendi kısıtlı imkânlarımızla onca şehit vererek 250 bin Ezidi insanımızı büyük bir katliamdan kurtardık. Ve Kobanê’de de yaklaşık iki yıldır ambargo olduğu halde direniyoruz. IŞİD ve destekçileri bunu iyi gördükleri, bildikleri için sürekli Kobanê’ye saldırıp burayı iyice zayıf düşürmek istediler. Bunun için Kobanê için basit basın açıklamaları, oturma eylemleri değil etkili olabilecek eylemler düzenlenmeli. İnsani bir müdahale için büyük bir kamuoyu, büyük bir baskı yapılmalı. YPG’ye yardımı bir kenara bırakın diyorum, katliam tehlikesi ile karşı karşıya kalan Kobanili yüz binler için bir şeyler yapsınlar diyorum. Amerika ve koalisyondaki ülkeler IŞİD’i hedef alıyor olabilir, saldırılara başlamış olabilirler ama en tehlikeli yerlere saldırı düzenlemiyorlar. Til Abyad’da saldırdılar fakat Kobanê bölgesinde olan onlarca IŞİD tankının dizildiği yerleri hedef almadılar. Bunun için halkımız dünyanın dört bir yanında büyük bir kamuoyu oluşturmalı. İki gündür New York’ta teröre karşı bir konferans düzenleniyor. Peki, burada Kobanê için ne denildi, nasıl bir karar alındı? Yani eğer Kobanê için bir şey yapılmıyorsa demek ki tüm bu konferanslar, konuşmalar, koalisyonlar boşuna!

Yaşanan olaylarda Türkiye’nin rolü ne, peki?

Polat Can: Türkiye son olarak kötü bir rol aldı ve bu rolü oynuyor. Sizin de takip ettiğiniz gibi, biz YPG olarak, Rojava Kürtleri olarak Türkiye ile iyi ilişkiler kurmak istiyoruz. Hiçbir zaman sınırda Türkiye ile bir sorun yaşamama esası üzerinde hareket ediyorduk. Fakat son zamanlarda herkesin bildiği bir gerçek var ki Türkiye IŞİD’i destekliyor. Bir pazarlık var, IŞİD gelip Kobanê’ye girecek, sonra diğer Rojava şehirlerini de ele geçirecek ve sonra da bu mıntıkalara Türk askerleri yerleştirilerek bir tampon bölge oluşturulacak. Türkiye’nin planı bu. Ki zaten Türkiye’nin IŞİD’e yaptığı yardım sonucunda IŞİD elindeki Türk rehineleri bıraktı. Bu kötü pazarlık Kobanê üzerinden yürütülüyor.

İnsan hakları örgütlerine, sivil toplum örgütlerine sesleniyorum. Eğer şimdi yardım etmezlerse sonrası çok geç olabilir. Evet, YPG kendi kısıtlı imkânlarıyla, hafif silahlarıyla direniyor fakat YPG bir Süpermen değil, bir ilahi güç değil. Bir an önce harekete geçmeliler.

NOT: Röportaj konunun acilliği doasıyla hemen tercüme edilerek yayınlanıyor. Çeviri ideal olmayabilir ama gerçeğe en uygun şekilde çevirilip, bir başka gazeteci tarafınan da kontrol edilmiştir

Mutlu Çiviroğlu 10:32 on September 20, 2014
Tags: , Ayn al-Arab, , , , , , , Saleh Moslem, , Salih Moslem, , ,   

Kobane Appeals to International Community for Immediate Help

Kurdish Woman Kobane

Mutlu Civiroglu https://twitter.com/mutludc September 20, 2014

Kurdish city of Kobane in Northern Syria, also knows as Rojava, is under severe ISIS attacks since September 15.

Kurdish officials say ISIS militants have been waging an unprecedented attack on Kobane from east, south, and west with the American tanks, artilleries, and Humvees they had seized from Iraqi army in Mosul.

A female YPG fighter in Kobane (YPG Media Center)

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In a short interview Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) leader Salih Moslem appeals to the international community to support people of Kobane before it is too late.

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Below is a detailed interview I conducted with the Premier of local Kobane Canton Anwar Moslem about the dire situation in the region:

Enwer Mislim

https://civiroglu.net/2014/09/19/kobane_isis/

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You can follow me on Twitter for updates from Kurds in Syria, Turkey and Iraq @mutludc

For feedback, question and interview requests: mciviroglu@gmail.com or +1202-241-0506