Ilham Ahmed, Rohlat Afrin: Martyrs' sacrifices, Kurds' unity halted attacks

The Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the city of Derik organized a large meeting to discuss the current situation in Rojava and Syria. The meeting, held at the Corniche Indoor Stadium, was attended by hundreds of the city's residents.

After holding a minute of silence, Ilham Ahmed; the co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration, delivered a speech, during which she noted that "the current phase is witnessing significant changes in international political pressures, particularly concerning the Kurdish issue, which has become a truly international matter."

She added, "Everyone knows that the Kurdish issue is the issue of one people, and that the Kurds have made immense sacrifices over the past years. This people can no longer be ignored, and no state can achieve stability while denying the rights of the Kurdish people, who have been struggling for decades."

She continued, "When we participate in international meetings, the Kurdish issue is a fundamental part of the dialogue. It is crucial for the Syrian regime to recognize the rights of the Kurdish people within Syria, without exception. This recognition is a necessary step towards building a democratic and unified Syria."

She pointed to the progress made internally, saying, "We acknowledge some shortcomings, but we managed to thwart the plans that aimed to marginalize the Kurdish people. The unity, strength, and sacrifices of the Kurdish people have foiled these plans."

Ilham Ahmed made clear, "We are starting to see positive changes, such as the recognition of the Kurdish language and the agreements that have been signed, as we are working to affirm the rights of the Kurdish people in the new Syrian constitution."

Regarding the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Ilham Ahmed said, "The political process is ongoing through our military and civilian institutions, including the SDF and the Internal Security Forces. We are working to ensure the stability of the regions in Rojava, and we emphasize the importance of full representation of the Kurdish people in the Syrian constitution."

Ilham Ahmed also addressed the situation in areas that are still under siege, such as Kobani, and occupied areas such as Afrin and Serê Kaniyê, saying, "Kobani is facing great difficulties under the ongoing siege, but we are continuing to work on improving the situation there, and we are also working on returning the people of Afrin to their homes, as well as in Serê Kaniyê."

She also addressed the issue of captives and missing persons in areas that have recently witnessed conflict, emphasizing the need to resolve this matter as soon as possible.

In a broader context, Ilham Ahmed stressed the importance of continuing the struggle for the rights of the Kurdish people in the region, emphasizing that the Kurdish people will not accept any compromise on their rights in any future political agreement. She also called for organizing the Kurdish society and strengthening its defense capabilities to confront any new attempts at elimination or marginalization.

For her part, Rohlat Afrin; the leader in the Women's Protection Units (YPJ), spoke about the great sacrifices made by the Kurdish people in their ongoing battle against ISIS mercenaries. She noted that these sacrifices marked a turning point in the Kurdish people's history, and affirmed that the Kurds have offered thousands of martyrs and wounded who have given the people moral strength and resilience in the face of enemies.

Rohlat Afrin stated, "We are at a difficult and pivotal stage, a stage marked by immense suffering as a result of the policies implemented against the Kurdish people. This suffering is not limited to the Kurds alone, but is part of the policy run in the Middle East."

She added, "We will not forget the massacres and displacement we have endured over the years, and we will not allow policies of denial to be imposed upon us. We have struggled and sacrificed, and we will not relinquish our rights, nor will we accept abandoning our dignity." She explained that the current stage for the Kurdish people is sensitive and dangerous, and that any future agreements must respect the rights of the Kurdish people and guarantee their place in the region.

Rohlat Afrin continued, emphasizing that the Kurdish people in Rojava, other parts of Kurdistan, and Europe have played a significant role in supporting the Kurdish struggle. She noted that the Kurdish people have been a true pillar in halting attempts at elimination and marginalization, stating, "We know that any political agreements must respect our struggle, and we cannot neglect this struggle under any circumstances."

She added, "We will not hesitate to make sacrifices, and we have already offered many self-sacrifice martyrs." She affirmed that the Kurdish people will continue to organize and strengthen their defense capabilities to protect themselves from any threats, and that they will not back down in the face of any attempts to eliminate the Kurdish people.

She concluded by saying, "We will continue to organize ourselves and protect our victories, and we will continue the struggle against the occupying forces and the policies that seek to deny our rights."

ANHA