In the attacks launched by Turkey and the Syrian National Army (SNA) on North and East Syria on December 8, nearly 50 people, including journalists, politicians, artists, health workers, women and children, have been killed so far. While 26 of them were massacred in Tishreen Dam where the attacks intensified, more than 140 people were wounded in these attacks. Reacting to the attacks, Amed (Diyarbakır) residents stated that Kurds will not be finished with attacks and called for an end to hostility. 

 

Ramazan Borucu noted that North and East Syria are constantly targeted and under attack by the AKP government and said, “Syria is not being given peace. Kurds will not end with war and death. The war policy is a dirty war policy. Today there is a war against civilians in Syria, not against any armed force. Peoples should rise up against this oppression and not remain silent.” 

 

Saadet Görkem stated that she did not want the war to happen and that it should end and said, “Women, children and the elderly are slaughtered wherever there is war. Just as when it comes to Gaza, everyone rises up and all of Europe speaks out, the same should be the case in Syria and we should be sensitive.” 

 

Mehmet Ali İlter stated that the war in North and East Syria must come to an end and added: “The people must react to this situation, they must not remain silent.”

 

'IF EVERYONE RISES UP, THE WAR WILL NOT LAST LONG'

 

Gülten Esen stated that they want peace and brotherhood, not war and said, “We don't want people's children to be slaughtered. But we cannot even voice this. If we say something, we face arrest. But we need to be united when something happens. Turkey is now stuck, it knows it will fall. That's why it is attacking Rojava. But if everyone stands up against this war, it will not last long. During the Kobanê process, they often said 'Kobanê has fallen', but Kobanê has not fallen and neither will North and East Syria.” 

 

Adil Baymış said that AKP Chair and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is not close to democracy and does not approach democracy, “As we know from the Kobanê process, Erdoğan was not taking positive steps towards peace. He has no intention to do so. We condemn Turkey's airstrikes against Tishreen. Why is Turkey targeting civilians? Erdogan is killing civilians using the YPG and PKK as an excuse. Erdogan is declaring a war against anyone who wants to defend democracy. In other words, we are dealing with someone who does not want a dictator other than himself. Erdoğan talks about a ceasefire with the PKK, but he does not take the necessary steps for this. After the DEM Party delegation met with Abdullah Öcalan, Abdullah Öcalan says he wants peace, but Tayyip Erdoğan is not in favor of it. It does not take steps towards this,” he said. 

 

Suleyman Yildirim said that they do not want war and added, “Human beings neither wage war nor want war.”  Yıldırım also criticized the world's silence on the attacks on North and East Syria.

 

Semra Şendur stated that children are being slaughtered in Syria and that it affects them psychologically and said, “This war must stop, there must be no more bloodshed. People should rise up. What is happening is happening to children and women.” 

 

Ramazan Demirok said that war would not lead anywhere and that equality and justice should be ensured and added, “But unfortunately, there is no justice and democracy in this country. Assad has already oppressed Syria for years, enough is enough.”

 

MA / Heval Önkol