Muslim: Kobanê resistance a basis for federal system and future of Syria

Kobanê Executive Assembly Co-President Enwer Muslim stated that Kobanê resistance was a basis for federal system and future of Syria.

Speaking to Hawar News Agency (ANHA), Rojava's Kobanê Canton Executive Assembly Co-President Enwer Muslim remarked that the people of Kobanê formed their own institutions and started to rule themselves in the wake of the July 19 Revolution.

Muslim said this small part of Rojava started to arouse interest throughout Syria, adding; “However, those circles not fond of democracy, autonomy and equality did not want such a system to be implemented in Rojava. To that end, they believed they would defeat the July 19 Revolution by causing Kobanê to fall, which YPG fighters, however, did not allow.”

Recalling that Kobanê people and combatants responded to the attacks with huge resistance, Muslim said the followings:

“A smear campaign had been launched against the resistance in Kobanê. Still, the resistance was represented to the whole world thanks to experiences gained with the battle and autonomous administration. The entire world saw the YPG's existence and fact that they tried to protect civilians. In diplomatic arena, several non-governmental organisations were established for solidarity with Rojava's refugees and civilians. Calls were issued for the realization of the Kurdish National Congress. Youths coming from all parts of Kurdistan joined the resistance in Kobanê and a flag of solidarity was raised among the cantons of Rojava. Kobanê people did not accept the ISIS occupation. In spite of all the material and spiritual harms they suffered, Kobanê residents mounted a huge resistance and they did not bow down. Before Kobanê, the gangs committed a big massacre in Shengal. They later continued their attacks on Cizîr, Efrîn and Bakur Kurdistan, through which they forced the Kurds to get united. Kobanê triumphed owing to the unity of the Kurdish people. This is why the Congress must be held as soon as possible to not allow such attacks and massacres to take place once again."

Muslim pointed out that Kobanê also proved the possibility that co-existence could be sustained as youths, women and elderly from various ethnic and faith groups joined the resistance side by side.

"This resistance also eliminated the ground for the continuation of the centralist authority of Damascus. It revealed the need for a comprehensive and democratic system; which is the democratic confederalism. The decentralized system of confederalism manifested how much the resistance in Kobanê was necessary. Many circles indeed defended that 'Kobanê is the capital of the new life' during that process."

Muslim continued: "Turkey possesses a Kurdish phobia. It fears that Kurds will attain a right, which is why it wants to occupy Jarablus, Al-Raî and Marih. Turkish state entered Jarablus within 24 hours, and this coincided with the Battle of Marj Dābiq that had taken place 500 years ago. By entering Jarablus, Turkey wanted to give the message that it would dominate the Middle East again. As Democratic Autonomous Administration, we consider Turkey's entering Syrian land as an occupation. International powers should put pressure on Turkey to get out of Syrian lands. As the people of Syria, we will struggle until we build the Northern Syria Federation and until our people attain a free life in peace.

Kobanê resistance became a ground for federal system and future of Syria. Kobanê resistance is the memory of our martyrs that sacrificed their lives. And, we will be following in their footsteps."