People’s Defense Center Headquarters Commander Murat Karayılan spoke to ANF on the war against ISIS.

There are important developments in Rojava. Recently, YPG-YPJ forces launched an offensive on Tel Abyad (Girê Spî) located in between two cantons that plays a vital role in Turkey’s logistical support for ISIS. Incoming reports confirm the liberation of the town by YPG-YPJ, what are your thoughts on the political implications of this development?

The liberation of Girê Spî, which came as a result of Martyr Commander Rûbar Qamişlo Initiative that began in Cezire Canton and Martyr Commander Gelhat Initiative that began in Kobanê Canton, is a crucial development. On behalf of our movement, I congratulate and salute the forces of YPG, YPJ and Burkan El Fırat. I respectfully salute all Rojava peoples including Kurds, Arabs and Assyrians for their efforts. I commemorate Rûbar Qamişlo, Gelhat and all other martyrs who sacrificed their lives in spirit of resistance, freedom and sisterhood. Their memories will be kept alive by our freedom and the peoples of the region.

Clearly, the union of the two cantons and the liberation of Girê Spî from fascist ISIS gangs is a new situation which will bring forth new developments. ISIS is a serious trouble for Arabs and the people of Syria, a stain for Islam, and a hired gun aimed at the Kurdish Freedom Movement. It is a grave danger for all humanity, therefore the YPG-led success against ISIS is a victory for all humanity. YPG-YPJ resistance has made important gains and impressed the entire globe after the historical victory of Kobanê resistance, the liberation of Til Hemîs and Til Berak, the liberation of Abdülaziz (Kezwan) Mountain and nearby areas, and recently the liberation of Girê Spî.

The liberation of Girê Spî is important for Rojava Kurdistan not only because it finally united the two cantons but also because it reaffirmed the liberation of Kobanê. Kobanê is no longer under siege and will not be attacked easily. This liberation translates as new important developments for the region.

‘THE FIRST STEP OF A NEW RISE FOR THE REVOLUTION IN SYRIA’

The liberation of Girê Spî is the first step of a new rise for the revolution in Syria, and an important gain for the democratic revolution of all peoples in Syria including Kurds, Arabs and Assyrians. Rojava Revolution is framed by the Democratic Nation Perspective put forth by Leader Apo, and its prototype can be found in Cizir Canton. Arab people are attracted to the Democratic Nation formula that has been brought to life in Cizir Canton for the past two years. This means there is viable ground for the formula to take root in all across Syria.

YPG-YPJ is the only force that has successfully fought ISIS, which currently occupies half of the lands in Syria. The strengthening of this force by Arab, Kurdish and other peoples will translate as the strengthening of resistance against ISIS and elevating the revolution in Syria. The liberation of Girê Spî illustrates that the Rojava Revolution is reaching beyond the limits of Rojava and initiating the establishment of Democratic Syria. In other words, Rojava Revolution is in its next stage and aims to establish Democratic Syria through the formation of new relations and alliances.

A NEW PHASE HAS BEGUN

Syria has a cosmopolitan social structure for which the most favorable resolution formula is the Democratic Nation system that is based on democratic autonomy and aims to ensure unity and solidarity. In this sense, the Girê Spî initiative is a very important gain for the entire Syria and the Rojava Revolution in terms of providing a basis for this.

Secondly, the victory of the operation to liberate Girê Spî in Rojava (West) Kurdistan is also an important gain for the Kurds, and a significant result especially after the victory of the North Kurdistan people and Turkey's democracy forces in June 7 elections. The fact that our people in North Kurdistan have revealed a strong will in the elections, and that the Rojava people have achieved victory with a strong initiative has carried the Kurdish question in the Middle East to a significant and new phase. What this new phase means to the Kurds in the Middle East is to reveal a will as a folk deserving to live with their own culture, language and traditions. This situation also imposes the inevitability of the resolution of the Kurdish question in all four parts. In this sense, the Girê Spî victory has been an important gain and created a new situation for the entire territory of Kurdistan, Syria and the Middle East.

There are claims that YPG carries out ethnic cleansing and uses violence towards Arab civilians in the region. What are your thoughts on these claims?

These claims are manipulative and unfounded because we know that Rojava Revolution and the YPG strategy is founded upon the principle of Democratic Nation embracing all peoples. It is an alternative to the strategy of one nation and one state, and is based upon pluralism. Forces guided by these principles cannot partake in ethnic cleansing or use violence on civilians. Can the groups that make such accusations provide the public with any proofs? No, because their claims are unfounded. On the contrary, YPG Command Center called upon the people of Girê Spî to not seek refuge in Turkey and come to Cizir Canton where all their needs would be met.

ISIS gangs tried to use civilians as human shields and naturally, civilians wanted to leave Girê Spî in order to save themselves from the dangers of a warzone environment. Many civilians sought refuge in Turkey but also in Cizir Canton. Civilians have the reflex of self-defense but will return to their homes once YPG-YPJ and Burkan El Fırat forces completely secure the region. As you know, Burkan El Fırat forces are a coalition of 5-6 different organizations that are predominantly Arab. So there cannot be any attacks on Arab civilians here and the offensive only targets ISIS gangs.

As the freest lands of the region, Rojava is becoming an area where all cultures, languages and faiths live freely. It is known very well by now that the Rojava Revolution, YPG forces and other structures acting with them are all based on this line. From this perspective, it would be truer for everyone to see the truths and act accordingly without paying attention to the disinformation spred by the Turkish state and mainly the AKP circle on this subject.

As a matter of fact, the AKP press and some Syrian circles directed by them are making an effort to justify the ISIS by means of such provocations. They are standing by ISIS by spreading anti-propaganda because of the fact that they cannot back it directly. Why did Erdoğan voice no single words while Al Nusra and ISIS forces displaced 10 thousand Kurds from Girê Spî, executed dozens of them by firing squad and blew their houses up as a deterrent to others?

It is quite obvious that the developments brought along by the Rojava Revolution today have laid and strengthened the foundations of a Democratic Syria.