Gangs affiliated to Al-Nusra, Ahrar Al-Sham and Nureddin Zenki have intensified their attacks on the YPG/YPJ-held Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo for the last one week. The attacks have left two civilians dead, one of them a child, and 15 others wounded.

YPG Aleppo General Commander Rezan Rojhat answered ANF's questions about the reason why the attacks have intensified, the current situation in the neighborhood and the role of the Turkish state in these attacks.

YPG Commander stated that attacks on Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood have increased in line with the “buffer zone” plan of the Turkish state which -he said- has sent munitions to the gang groups several days ago. Rezan Rojhat remarked that Al-Nusra gangs have deployed all their forces around the neighborhood and are now preparing for a more extensive assault within the coming days.

What is the dimension of the clashes between YPG and gang groups in Aleppo? Do they constitute a part of the routine conflict or is there a particular case in question?

The gangs had already encircled and harassed the region for the past several months. Al-Nusra and Ahrar Al-Sham had already blocked the roads and hindering access. Their attacks have restarted one week ago with the recent debate of a “buffer zone”. They are mainly conducting mortar attacks and clashes have taken place partially. For the last one week, they are dispatching their forces and heavy weapons in all other emplacements to this area. All these preparations point to their plan for a more extensive assault within the coming days. They are also trying to provoke the Arab people against us by means of the press.

To make it more clear; have attacks restarted in line with Turkey's occupation plan under the name of buffer zone?

Right. This buffer zone also involves a part of the Aleppo city. It is quite explicit that these attacks are related to this plan. The gang groups first cut the connection with Efrîn, then deployed their forces around here. They blocked the entrance-exit points of the neighborhood and arrested many people at their checkpoints.

Where exactly does the Turkish state stand in this plan?

The Turkish state has formed an alliance with Al-Nusra ad Ahrar Al-Sham through the Sultan Murat and Sultan Fatih brigades they formed from Turkmens. We identified munitions sent to them by Turkey several days ago.

Could you detail this point?

Turkey sent two trucks of ammunition to the Aleppo side and delivered them to the areas of Al-Sakur and Huluk held by Al-Nusra. The Turkish state recently manifests an approach like “We will continue providing support if you unite against YPG, but you cannot receive this help if you take up a different position”. We cannot talk about a presence of the Free Syrian Army in Aleppo where there are fronts entirely held by Islamist groups such as Al-Nusra, Ahrar Al-Sham and Nureddin Zenki. Apart from them, there are Turkmen groups.

Are there occurring clashes between YPG and Turkmen brigades in Aleppo?

I would primarily like to point out that YPG has no trouble with any folk, and this includes Turkmens. YPG involves Arab, Turkmen and Christian fighters and we have no problems with them. Besides, Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens live together in Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. We are engaged in a conflict with the armed forces affiliated with the Turkish state and those it supports, such as the Sultan Murat Brigade. Clashes have taken place for some one week now, and the gangs are kind of making a rehearsal. Before that, they had blocked our roads leading to from Aleppo to Efrîn. For the past two days, the gangs joined by Turkmens are directing attacks on our neighborhood with the technical and military support they receive from Turkey. In short, we were not engaged in a conflict with Turkmens so far but we are clashing with them for the last one week.

Do the gangs aim to empty the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood?

True. Sheikh Maqsoud is an area where people feel safe and live together. This is what the gangs want to disturb and spoil. They want to evacuate and isolate the neighborhood. This is the policy they pursue in their currently ongoing attacks. The people's trust in YPG strengthens its basis of existence. We gave the people a confidence the gangs couldn't.

How do these attacks influence the people?

Attacks have left two civilians dead, one of whom was a child, and 15 others wounded. Yet, people remain in the neighborhood and do not mean to leave it as they have a close relation with the YPG and want to take part at the battle front. The people will not surrender to these policies.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Some recent media reports claim that YPG forces have blocked the road leading to Aleppo. There is no such a thing. We have no trouble with the civilian people and we are doing our best to make sure they sustain no harm. It is not us but the presence of the gangs that block the road. We have not made any attempts against that road for 4-5 years now. The only road leading to Aleppo is being blocked by the attacks of the gangs.