From Afrin to Tishrin Dam... Turkish occupation continues its massacres, people refuse to submit

For more than 40 days, the Turkish occupation state has been attacking the Tishrin Dam with the aim of occupying the regions of North and East Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces and the Women's Protection Units have shown heroic resistance in repelling the occupation's attacks on the dam's surroundings. In solidarity with their forces, to protect their vital facilities, and to draw the world's attention to the Turkish occupation's policies, the residents of the Euphrates, Raqqa, Tabqa, Jazira, and Deir ez-Zor regions have been holding vigil activities at the Tishrin Dam since January 8. However, the Turkish occupation state targeted the convoys of civilians and vigil participants on the dam's body, resulting in the martyrdom of 20 people and the injury of more than 100 others.

The massacres committed by the Turkish occupation state against civilian convoys are not new. In 2018, the occupation state targeted convoys heading to Afrin to support the Resistance of the Age from Aleppo and the rest of the regions of North and East Syria, and the attacks at that time resulted in martyrs and wounded. Participants in the support convoys to Afrin recalled those massacres and described the president of the Turkish occupation state, Erdogan, as Nimrod and the Pharaoh of the era for the brutal violations he commits.

Repeated scenes and ongoing brutality

The administrator of the Religious Affairs Foundation, Sheikh Ali Al-Hassan, pointed out that the attacks of the Turkish occupation state on the Tishreen Dam and the Qarqozak Bridge are nothing but an extension of its criminal policy.

He added: "When the people of North and East Syria flocked to defend the Tishreen Dam, the Turkish occupation bombed these convoys indiscriminately and brutally, which led to injuries and martyrs. These crimes are not new; in 2018, at the beginning of the Turkish occupation's attack on Afrin, the Turkish air force bombed the convoys coming to support Afrin, and similar massacres occurred."

Sheikh Ali stressed that the regime of the Turkish occupation state, led by Erdogan, embraces a criminal ideology that the world must unite against. He described Erdogan as "Nimrod and the Pharaoh of the era."

Sheikh Ali explained that the occupier's violations against the shift workers amount to war crimes, saying: "For what sin are they being killed? Is it because they refused to submit to the occupier or because they chose to fight to defend their land and gains?" Describing Erdogan as "a criminal in every sense of the word, as he is bombing innocent, unarmed civilians who are not carrying weapons, and he must be held accountable for his actions."

Sheikh Ali added: "This criminal ideology that is rooted in the head of the Turkish regime aims to exterminate the peoples of the region and break their will. But we tell the whole world that we will not stand idly by, and we will continue the resistance to protect our lands and gains."

An Unbreakable Will

For her part, Fahima Hammo, a member of the Kongra Star Coordination and a participant in the support convoys from Aleppo to Afrin, stressed that the occupation attacks aim to break the will of the peoples who chose to resist and defend their gains.

She said: "Despite the heavy weapons and continuous attacks, the occupation was unable to make progress on the Qarqozak Bridge and Tishreen Dam. The peoples of the region, with all their components, play a historic role in confronting the occupation."

Fahima added: "The convoys that flocked to Tishreen Dam despite the bombing were an expression of a solid will and historic steadfastness. The people here are greater than death, and no one can exterminate them."

Fahima spoke about the brutality of the occupier, noting that the Turkish occupation state violated all international laws by targeting civilians: "We saw dozens of convoys heading to the dam despite being directly targeted. However, the people continue on their way on the resistance line with strong will and high morale. This is not the first time that the people have stood with all their strength in the face of genocidal attacks. The history of Afrin is a witness to that with its resistance for 58 days in the face of all advanced weapons."

Resistance for Humanity

In her turn, the co-chair of the Democratic Society Movement in Aleppo, Nahla Mustafa, stressed that the resistance of Tishreen Dam reflects a human struggle similar to the resistance of the era in Afrin.

She continued: "Peoples who love freedom are always exposed to attacks to break their will, especially the will of women. In Tishreen Dam, we are witnessing a resistance aimed at protecting dignity and humanity, and ensuring security and stability for the region."

Nahla added: "In 2018, we participated in convoys heading from Aleppo to Afrin to support the people, and we decided to protect our land and identity from the attacks of the Turkish occupation state and its mercenaries. But the occupier targeted the convoys with the aim of planting fear in our souls. Despite that, we continued on our path on the path of resistance."

Nahla pointed out that the massacres committed by the occupation state against civilians aim to impose its policies by force, but she stressed that the steadfastness of the people will thwart these plans. She said: "In Tishreen Dam, there is resistance for dignity and humanity, so that the peoples of the region can live in safety and stability. The Turkish occupation state is committing massacres against everyone who refuses humiliation and holds his head high in the face of injustice and genocide."

The brutality of the occupier and the steadfastness of the people

Nahla confirmed at the end of her speech that the will of the people will remain unbreakable, and that the resistance will continue until the liberation of all occupied areas, including Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî, and the preservation of the Tishreen Dam, no matter the sacrifices. She said: "No matter how much the Turkish occupier persists in its practices, we will resist and liberate all occupied areas. We will not give up our gains and lands, because this land is our life and our future."

T/ Satt.

ANHA