PYD in a statement on the occasion of its 19th anniversary: Our own strength is enough to achieve victory

The General Council of Democratic Union Party issued a statement on the occasion of its 19th anniversary, that reads:

"On the occasion of the 19th anniversary of the establishment of Democratic Union Party (PYD), we congratulate our people and all of humanity, and we stand in honor and respect in front of our martyrs who were and will remain our leaders in our struggle, and we congratulate all the fighters in the ranks of our party and wish them success in their tasks.

On this occasion, we renew our pledge to our people that we will continue the struggle until we achieve our goals for which we have always struggled, which is to guarantee the rights of the Kurdish people and build a democratic Syria.

Our party was established in response to the demands of our people in the struggle to solve the Kurdish issue and guarantee their legitimate rights in Syria. It has also adopted the principle of the democratic nation, which aims to renounce all kinds of national, religious and gender intolerance. In order to achieve this, it made great sacrifices and played a leading role in consolidating peaceful coexistence between the components.

During the Syrian crisis, our party developed a third-path strategy in politics, as it relied on the people's own strength and did not serve any agenda outside the interests of the peoples and components in Syria, so its positions were patriotic and democratic in all stages until now. Did not give up its principles in the most difficult circumstances and remained steadfast in the face of all attempts that targeted the unity of the components of the region.

Our party has played a pioneering role in establishing the Autonomous Administration, so that for the first time in hundreds of years, the components have obtained the right to self-manage themselves, this administration which was a great historical achievement. All challenges and difficulties were faced to preserve them, and we would like to stress that these efforts will continue until a democratic system is built that includes all of Syria.

Our party, since the beginning of the crisis and when our regions were attacked by extremist and terrorist forces, was one of the first supporters of Self-Defense Forces, and played a key role in educating the people and directing them to defend their land.

We have stressed since the beginning of the Syrian crisis that the military option will not lead to solutions. Rather, we need dialogue and a peaceful solution, and we affirm once again that the only way to a solution in Syria is a political solution based on democratic bases. And that our efforts will continue in order to achieve radical solutions to the outstanding issues in Syria by peaceful means.

As a Kurdish party, we believe that the unity of the Kurdish ranks is a strategic issue in order to confront the danger we face as a people, and that any position and cooperation that serves the enemies must be confronted, because it is a danger to our cause and our existence. Therefore, we did not, and will not, hesitate to take patriotic stances towards all those who work alongside the enemy. We pledge to our people that we will do everything for patriotic unity and will not remain silent towards any party or political force that works against the interests of the Kurdish people in any part.

Today we are living in a state of war and there are direct threats targeting us, so our people should know that we are with them and we share all the difficulties with them. We are fully confident that our own strength is sufficient to achieve victory, so we must proceed with great determination.

Once again, we congratulate you on the nineteenth anniversary of the establishment of your party, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), and we wish you freedom, safety and peace."

Sh-S

ANHA