The terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is continuing its attacks on Aleppo and the surrounding area. A large part of Aleppo and other towns are now under the control of the Syrian Al-Qaeda offshoot, which used to call itself Al-Nusra. The Syrian army has withdrawn from the cities’ boroughs without fighting back. Journalist Demhat Tolhildan is monitoring developments on the ground and spoke to ANF about the current situation.

"The jihadists are encountering no resistance"

Tolhildan said that the HTS was advancing in a wide area from Hama to Dera, and added: "They are encountering no resistance, the Damascus regime troops and Russia are leaving the area to them everywhere. The attack was well-prepared, and at the same time sleeper cells were activated in the region controlled by Damascus."

Situation in the Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo

Regarding the situation in the neighborhoods of Aleppo, where Kurds mainly live, Tolhildan said that the population is organized and ready for self-defense. There have been no attacks, and in Şêxmeqsûd (Sheikh Maksud) the attempts to enter by HTS mercenaries were prevented by the HPC (Social Defense Forces). "The gangs are attacking in Shehba and the area around al-Bab," said Tolhildan. Except the Kurdish-populated areas in the greater Aleppo area, all boroughs have come under the control of the gangs. Many people have fled to the Kurdish neighborhoods and the areas of Northern and Eastern Syria controlled by the Autonomous Administration. It is clearly not possible for all these people to live in the areas now controlled by the gangs.

Turkey as the mastermind of the attacks

Tolhildan went on to say that the Turkish state had indirectly confirmed that it was the mastermind of the attack. He pointed to the military equipment carried by the gangs and said that it ranged from thermal night vision systems to kamikaze drones. For him, it is clear that the mercenaries have been trained by Turkey. For example, the unit responsible for the use of kamikaze drones called itself the "Şahin" group after the Turkish word for falcon. "Şahin is not an Arabic word. Apparently the Turkish state even chose the name of the group," said Demhat Tolhildan, adding: "The entire planning was done by the Turkish state and presented to the gangs. Without backing, they would not have attacked anywhere. The Turkish state lets them attack and sees the changing balance of power as an opportunity for itself."

NATO's mandate and Turkish interest

Demhat Tolhildan said that the attack was not taking place without the knowledge of NATO and the US. "There is a striking parallel between the statements of Turkey and the US. The Turkish state is protecting the Islamist groups in Syria on behalf of NATO,” the journalist said, adding: "Turkey is fulfilling NATO's order to control the jihadist groups and hold back the refugees from Syria. At the same time, it is also using these gangs for its own plans."

Russia and Iran are weakened

Tolhildan said: "The US may have given the green light for the attack in its own interests in order to weaken Russia in the region. Another factor is Israel's security. Russia is weakened due to the war in Ukraine and has withdrawn technical forces from Syria. Iran has also been hit by the conflicts in the region. Russia and Iran do not want to give up this area and would like to intervene, but they are not in a position to do so due to their current weakness."

Attacks on Kurdish-populated areas

Regarding the dangers for the Kurdish population, Demhat Tolhildan recalled the ISIS attack and said: "In 2014, ISIS wanted to advance to Damascus, but then changed course and attacked the Kurds. The same forces that diverted ISIS back then will now instigate their mercenary gangs against the Kurds. Anyone who claims that the gangs will not attack the Kurds is wrong. The Arab population in Tall Rifat, who support coexistence with the Kurds, is already being attacked. The Turkish state will take the opportunity and have its gangs attack the Kurdish-populated areas."

"The way to protect the revolution is to resist"

Tolhildan said that the Rojava Revolution succeeded thanks to the common struggle of the peoples, and added that resistance is the only way to protect it.

Drawing attention to the fact that the problems of the region could be solved with a system based on a democratic nation, Tolhildan said: "Resistance will also strengthen the national spirit of the Kurds. There should be resistance with a spirit of mobilization against the attacks of gang groups. The only way to protect the gains of the Rojava Revolution is to resist with a spirit of mobilization."