​​​​​​​Italian journalist: July 19th Revolution is hope for all humanity

During the past 10 years, Rojava, North and East Syria had been visited by several journalists, intellectuals and diplomatic missions to learn about the reality of the revolution of July 19, 2012.

These visits left different impressions for many visitors. These include Italian journalist Benedetta Argentieri, who has visited Rojava, Raqqa and Tabqa areas for more than one time.

ANHA’s agency met with Italian journalist Benedetta Argentieri about her assessment of the past 10 years of the July 19^th Revolution and the stages of the revolution is going through.

In this context, journalist Benedetta Argentieri states that "Phase I began on 19^th July 2012, when the people of Kobani expelled the Syrian regime from the city, and it seemed clear that the Kurds would not join the opposition, but rather chose the third line, a new way of self- autonomy. So, large number of journalists, especially in the West, therefore viewed Kurds with suspicion. "

She asserted that this revolution "was a moment of building and changing society, and it was an interesting moment," but said "not many people outside Kurdistan knew what was happening there."

The second phase began when ISIS/Daesh attacked Kobani, saying, "I call it the second phase; since that moment, the international community has realized that there is a revolution in Syria that has not been carried out by the opposition but by the Kurds.”

Adding "The political side has not emerged in the press, but the Kurdish issue and the party, and the movement, have become well known outside the Middle East."

On what the July 19^th Revolution brought to the world's freedom-seekers, the Italian journalist said, "A lot of people around the world realized what was happening, the Rojava revolution gave hope to a lot of leftists, and people around the world fighting for freedom."

Benedetta Argentieri added that "the revolution in NE, Syria has also affected ordinary people, those who have joined solidarity groups", noting that as a result of these people's learning from the Rojava revolution, they have become active, and that another way is possible, outside the capitalist system, where many people from all over the world came to join the revolution and learn from this revolution.

North-eastern Syria had become known to national States and had become an entity.

Turkey and ISIS/Daesh are the greatest threats to the revolution

The journalist Benedetta Argentieri described phase III as the most dangerous, and the one we now live in.

"ISIS/Daesh has been militarily defeated, the West does not support anything outside the military framework, and Turkey is trying to destroy this politically.”

But she said, "Of course, when we think of the Rojava revolution, we should not think of it as an ideal place. revolution is a practical thing, and there are always many problems and contradictions.”

"Some are easier to solve, others require a lot of time and effort, and of course with the constant threat from Turkey, mercenaries and ISIS/Daesh, it is very difficult to achieve this."

"As I said before, the Rojava revolution gave hope to many people around the world, and also in Europe, although there are many Kurds in Europe who have had to flee the regimes (Turkey in particular, Iraq, Syria and Iran) and the Kurdish issue is more well known to the people; It is even beyond the Rojava revolution. "

Regarding the imprisonment and isolation imposed on leader Abdul Ocalan, she said, "Abdullah Ocalan's treatment in prison for more than 23 years is the greatest evidence that Turkey is an undemocratic regime. All this was through the Rojava revolution ".

"Understanding the ideology behind the revolution, which gave hope to the Middle East and to humanity as a whole, made many people support Kurds," the journalist said.

In conclusion, Benedetta Argentieri called for support for the July 19^th Revolution for "a different system focusing on direct democracy, the environmental and women's freedom, although Europe is a difficult place to do so"; because the capitalist system is also rooted in the mentality of people in general.”

T/S

ANHA