Residents of Al-Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud mobilize for self-defense 

In response to the general mobilization and to protect the Al-Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods, the residents have prepared themselves for defense based on the principles of self-protection.

Residents of all ages and affiliations from Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafieh have taken up arms to protect their neighborhoods from imminent threats, following the siege imposed by the mercenaries of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). They stated that this step is the most appropriate way to repel attacks and aggression.

The residents have organized themselves based on the principles of revolutionary people's warfare, drawing on their experiences from 2016 when they rallied around their forces to protect the neighborhoods and prevent the mercenaries from entering. They successfully thwarted previous attempts.

Volunteers from the community take turns guarding their neighborhoods day and night, refusing to rely on external forces to repel attacks. They have intensified patrols and strengthened their organization in anticipation of any aggression by HTS, which continues to impose a siege on their area.

The youth, who have taken up arms to protect the neighborhoods and joined the Sheikh Maqsoud Protection Forces, emphasized their readiness to give everything they have to ensure a stable and secure life for the residents and to support their forces.

Mazlum Alloush, a member of the Arab community, stated:

“We have adopted self-defense as a method to protect our community and existence. We will not relinquish our rights and land to mercenaries, nor will we allow them to enter our area.”

Alloush added: “The Turkish occupier seeks to annihilate us by all means, but we will resist all their attempts with our will and determination until our last breath.”

Meanwhile, Sherwan Aleppo said: “The responsibility to defend the land falls primarily on the youth. We are carrying out this mission with enthusiasm and diligence, and we are ready to protect our land with all the strength and determination we have.”

It is worth noting that the Turkish occupation mercenaries managed to take control of most of Aleppo’s neighborhoods following an attack launched on November 26, amidst the withdrawal of Damascus government forces and their allied factions.

A-H

ANHA