SDF: Turkish occupation, its mercenaries' attack on Kobani won't be picnic

The General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces issued a statement today regarding the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries' attacks on the city of Kobani, stating:

“Despite all the efforts made by the International Coalition and the United States to de-escalate and announce a ceasefire in Manbij and all our areas, the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries have not adhered to this decision and continue their attacks on the southern front of Kobani in Qereqozaqê and the Tishrin Dam. On December 18, the Turkish occupation launched a comprehensive attack on the Tishrin Dam axis, and the intense clashes continued until the evening. Our forces repelled the attacking forces and successfully pushed them back. Additionally, various areas of Kobani were targeted by Turkish drones and heavy artillery. On another front, Turkish army mobilizations are continuing in the Suruç area, with Turkish tanks and armored vehicles stationed along the northern border of Kobani and west of Qereqozaqê.

We in the Syrian Democratic Forces emphasize the importance of de-escalation, the cessation of all military operations, and the resolution of all outstanding issues through dialogue. However, we will not hesitate to confront any attack or targeting of our people and our areas.

We also affirm that the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries' attempt to attack Kobani will not be a picnic. Our forces, alongside the people of Kobani, will fight with all their might, and thanks to the heroic resistance of the SDF and the people of Kobani, the city will become a quagmire for the invading forces, from which it will be difficult to escape.

Thus, we assure our people that our forces and the steadfast people of Kobani will not merely resist; the battle of Kobani will be one of certain victory. The heroic spirit our forces have shown for the past week in the Qereqozaqê and Tishrin Dam areas is the clearest evidence of the victory of Kobani’s resistance. We call on our people and the proud population of the Kobani region to actively participate in the resistance, carry arms, and stand alongside their fighters on the frontlines. Together, we must turn every village and every corner of Kobani into a fortress of resistance. We must remember that resistance is the only path to victory and a life of dignity and freedom. We tell our people in Kobani and across NE Syria that you are not alone in the trenches of defense; the conscience of humanity and the world is with you everywhere. The international reactions have already begun even before the attack, and we affirm that the entire world will bear witness to your heroic resistance.

We in the Syrian Democratic Forces reaffirm our positive stance on the Aqaba meeting's decision to halt military operations for Syria and value the efforts of our friends in the International Coalition to de-escalate. However, we call on all concerned countries and forces to adopt a clearer and firmer stance to stop the Turkish aggression and its mercenaries. We also appeal to Arab states and the Arab people in all their diversity that the greatest threat to Syria's territorial unity and security is the Turkish state, which seeks to occupy more Syrian territory under false pretexts. We call on all those committed to the unity and sovereignty of Syrian lands to adopt clear positions against the Turkish aggression and its mercenaries.”

A-H

ANHA