The city of Manbij, which had been liberated by Manbij Military Council and SDF fighters after a 73 day-long operation in August 2016, took an important step on institutionalizing its self-administration during the expanded meeting of Manbij People's Assembly. 132 assembly members attended the meeting, during which the name "Democratic and Civilian Administration of Manbij and its Surroundings" was adopted for self-administration, and executive Co-presidents of the self-administration were elected.

İbrahim Kaftan and Zeynep Kambar who were elected Co-presidents have never lost their hopes on the liberation of Manbij despite their experience of ISIS cruelty. Kaftan and Kambar spoke to ANF on the meaning of the Democratic and Civilian Administration of Manbij and its Surroundings, and their plans and political stance for the future.

TORTURED IN ISIS DUNGEONS

Newly elected Co-president of Democratic and Civilian Administration of Manbij and its Surroundings İbrahim Kaftan is from the Arab community in Manbij. Kaftan, an architect, carried out political works from the beginning of the Syrian Revolution until ISIS' occupation of Manbij in 2014. Kaftan was also the president of the Sawra Council in Manbij affiliated to the Free Syrian Army.

İbrahim Kaftan is one of those ISIS arrested first after entering Manbij. He was tortured in ISIS dungeons for 3 months and had his leg broken during this period. Kaftan stayed in Manbij for 3 months after ISIS released him, after which he fled Manbij and went to Turkey. Kaftan turned back home after the liberation of his city, and began to participate in Manbij Peoples' Assembly efforts as soon as he returned.

“I BELIEVE IN A DEMOCRATIC LIFE IN MANBIJ”

Kaftan stated that he himself and the people of Manbij experienced a nightmare, telling the followings: "Today, we are waking up from this nightmare. We are trying to heal our wounds in a way that will prevent future injuries. It is very nice to be working for Syrian peoples in a Manbij liberated from ISIS. I trust Manbij will develop and get more free with the democratic steps we will take. We must work a lot for Manbij, I believe that our people will live more democratically in the future."

"WE HAVE THE POWER FOR SELF-ADMINISTRATION”

Drawing attention to the continuing threats of the Turkish state, Kaftan said "As the people of Manbij, we do not accept this. We know the reality of Turkey. There emerge problems between peoples and they get weakened wherever the Turkish state goes. Also, almost everyone knows about Turkey's relations with ISIS. Turkey is supporting the ISIS in many areas today although they claim to be fighting ISIS in al-Bab today. We can solve our problems and establish our own life with our own will. We have the power to govern ourselves. We have already made an important progress with our efforts as an Assembly after the liberation of Manbij.

“WE HAVE PROJECTS FOR MANBIJ”

Kaftan remarked that the self-administration model in Manbij will largely be actualized through committees, and that their works will continue by progressing after this recent meeting. He told: "We will first form the sub-committees of the executive assembly. We will establish 13 committees and this will finalize the frame of our system. Afterwards, we will implement our projects. We have many projects in order to re-make Manbij beautiful and develop a democratic life here. We will improve these projects and submit them to the legislative assembly and our people. We will develop our project step by step with their approval and support."

ISIS WAS GOING TO EXECUTE KAMBAR

The other newly elected Co-president of Democratic and Civilian Administration of Manbij, Zeynep Kambar is a Kurd from Manbij and received an education on classroom teaching. Kambar worked for the Manbij Peoples' House until ISIS' occupation of the city in 2014. ISIS issued a death sentence fer Kambar and searched for her 7 months, during which Kambar hid in the houses of Arab families in Manbij and later fled to Efrîn. Kambar joined the political work in Efrin and returned home to join Manbij People's Assembly after the liberation of the city.

“MANBIJ PEOPLE GOVERNING THEMSELVES FOR THE FIRST TIME”

Kambar emphasized that the people of Manbij are governing themselves for the first time, adding: "In this meeting, our legislative assembly determined the name of Manbij Administration. Manbij will rule itself with the name of Democratic and Civilian Administration of Manbij and Surroundings. In this meeting, we also elected the Co-presidents of the executive assembly. Me and İbrahim Kaftan are the children of Manbij and our political work is not new to the city. We know Manbij and its people very well, for which reason we can contribute more to the city.

Within the next 15 days after this meeting, we will form 13 sub-committees, each of which will be composed of 6 people. After that, we will take stronger steps for creating a more democratic and productive political and social life in Manbij. The liberated city of Manbij is governing itself for the first time. We did important things in a short period of time. But Manbij still has many material, moral and spiritual needs. We have projects and we will implement them."

“OUR BASIS IS THE WILL OF WOMEN”

Kambar stated that every sub-committee of the Executive Council will be composed of 6 people and half of these will be women. She continued: "As a woman, I took my place in the administration. My duty is to make sure women make up the half of all committees. Women will take a fair and equal place in the administration. The society of Manbij will not get stronger unless women get stronger. Women have already begun to play a role in Manbij. Society will become more democratic only if men and women coexist democratically. For this reason, one of our main goals is to enhance the organization, inter-relation and will of women.”

Kambar pointed out that through an equal representation and participation of women in these committees, they are aiming to develop projects to produce solutions to the problems of women who experienced ISIS cruelty the most. Kambar said "Women in Manbij experienced very much cruelty and pain during the ISIS period. Some were forced to marry ISIS gangs, some were raped, some were stoned, and some lost their husbands and children. Our goal is both to develop projects that will solve the problems of women and to strengthen the will, organization, and participation of women in all areas of administration and life."

“WE WILL RESTORE THE MORALE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE OF OUR PEOPLE”

Kambar stated that the committees will involve representatives of all peoples, adding: "All the peoples in Manbij used to live in fraternity before the ISIS who later subjected them to huge atrocities. Representatives of all peoples such as Arabs, Circassians, Turkmens, Kurds and Chechens are taking part in our assembly. Of course, women from all peoples are also involved in the assembly to represent their societies and women. The committees will pay attention to these points. Also after the ISIS period, the people of Manbij suffered from policies such as 'Turkey will attack' or 'ISIS will attack' that intended to leave them without a will. But people are now starting to pull themselves together. With our efforts, we will restore the morale and self-confidence of our people."

“WE WILL NOT ATTACK ANYONE BUT WILL PROTECT OURSELVES”

Lastly, Kambar said “We will enhance the moral and political structure of our society by clarifying our organization and policy. Since its establishment, Manbij People's Assembly has respected the powers, people and countries around it. This will continue in the future as well. We will not accept attacks by any side but we will never attack anyone. We will strengthen our self-defense forces. Our society, which has been through ISIS savagery, needs defense as much as they need bread and water. We will not do injustice to anyone. We want to establish a democratic life both within ourselves and with those around us."