KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Presidential Council Member Sozdar Avesta answered Delîla Axîn’s questions in a special broadcast on Çira TV.

What is the reason the Turkish state is attacking Afrin in particular?

The AKP-MHP fascist coalition declared war against the Kurdish people once more in 2015. When they failed to achieve the success they desired in Northern Kurdistan, they started attacking Rojava Kurdistan. The attack against Afrin is against all gains by the Kurdish people. Moreover, it is an attack against all peoples, faiths and values in the person of the Kurdish people, against all women seeking freedom, so against humanity. They want to destroy the gains of our peoples who are striving to build a free life on the basis of their own will and self defense and continue with their fascist system. They aim to break the will of all peoples with an Ottoman dream.

They have been attacking for 14 days with all their might. Considering the Turkish army, will Afrin prevail?

The Turkish state made all their preparations in and outside the country before they attacked Afrin, and they thought they could invade the whole area after intense bombings. The Turkish state said they would enter Afrin in 3 hours, but they have been dropping bombs for the last 14 days. Against the Erdoğan and MHP dictatorship, the winners have been the YPG, YPJ, SDF and the people of Afrin. Because Afrin has a patriotic stance loyal to the land and the values that can sacrifice itself for its values. The unavoidable end for the RTE dictatorship against a people who resist with their self organization, self will and self defense will be defeat.

YPJ Commander Avesta Xabûr carried out a sacrifice action in the first days of the attack. How should this be understood?

With her, a new era kicked off. Avesta Xabûr is the proof of the RTE dictatorship’s defeat with her action. She also gave a message to all peoples that they shouldn’t abandon their positions and that they can prevail through resistance. She said we shouldn’t have expectations from anybody, whatever happens, we should be a response to them with a bomb. With her stance and action, she showed all women the line of resistance. And her message has been received. Today, thousands of young people are turning towards Afrin.

In the attacks against Kurds, sometimes it’s ISIS on the front and the Turkish state is next to/behind them, and sometimes the Turkish state takes the lead and ISIS and the other gangs are with them. What is the nature of this relationship?

One of the reasons Erdoğan is attacking Afrin is to avenge ISIS. He can’t stomach the defeat of ISIS in Raqqa, Shengal and Mosul and their entrapment in Deir ez-Zor. He thinks, “If you won’t let ISIS succeed, I will attack you, I will trample your homes and your sacred and historic sites.” Erdoğan wants to accomplish what ISIS failed to do.

This needs to be stressed, ERdoğan and his gangs under various names were defeated in Kobanê, and they won’t prevail in Afrin. On the contrary, it will be the defeat of his fascist mindset and the end of his sultanate.

Why are international powers so reserved, in such a role of a spectator, or even are partially supporting Erdoğan?

As the Kurdish Freedom Movement, we know the international powers well. The February 15 International Conspiracy is right there in our recent history. The freedom fighters have resisted with their will and their faith in freedom, as always. The stance and the faith with which the likes of Arîn Mîrkan resisted should not be forgotten. Our people fought for the return of the usurped rights, and they didn’t ask permission from anyone nor did they place their trust in anyone. Nation states look at their economic interests and their relationship with each other, the rightfulness and the legitimacy of the peoples’ struggles are not enough for them. That is why they act out the 3 monkeys.

Afrin is supported by the peoples of Kurdistan and the part of humanity who believe in their rightfulness, these groups carry out various demonstrations and events. Are they enough?

It is deeply meaningful that the peoples are identifying with Afrin. I salute all our people who flocked to the streets in particular. Their stance was a patriotic stance. The ring of peoples formed around the people of Afrin is very meaningful, but this needs to turn into something permanent and continuous. I salute our people who flocked to the streets in tens of thousands in Europe. From now on, our people should force institutions to take a stand and put their stance forth clearly, and create public opinion. The people of Afrin are suffering tyranny. There should be no silence.

There are also intense attacks against the Êzidîs and their villages in Afrin. Is this a continuation of the 73rd genocide by ISIS?

This is also an important matter. Today 23 Êzidî villages are under attack. They wanted to annihilate them in Shengal with the 73rd genocide but failed, and today they are imposing the 74th genocide. The genocide is continued in Qestel and Basufanê. One of the places the Êzidî people have maintained their organizations on the basis of a free life is Afrin. Wherever they may be, the Êzidî people should defend YPG and YPJ. Like these freedom fighters have defended the Êzidî people and sacrificed themselves for the Êzidî women and children taken hostage, the Êzidî people today should defend the YPG and YPJ forces today.