The Internationalist Freedom Brigade consists of socialist and internationalist constituents and was founded 3 years ago. Since the founding, they have participated in almost all operations in Rojava.

Internationalist Freedom Brigade constituent TİKKO fighter Mahir Bakır Cihan has participated in the fight against ISIS actively since the beginning of the revolution.

Internationalist Freedom Brigade fighter Mahir Bakır Cihan who participated in all phases of the operation to liberate Raqqa led by the YPG, YPJ and the SDF spoke to the ANF.

When did you join the Rojava Revolution and what operations have you participated in?

I came to Rojava during the battle for Kobanê and I participated in it. I also participated in the Rubar Qamişlo operation. I was in the Hawl and Shaddade campaigns. I have been in the Raqqa operation since phase one. I have been in almost all operations since the beginning of the revolution.

“DEFEATING ISIS WILL BRING ABOUT THE END FOR THEIR SUPPORTERS”

What is different about the Raqqa operation? And, what will you say on the results the liberation of Raqqa will produce?

Raqqa is the city ISIS has declared a capital for themselves. So it is the epicenter of ISIS. It is one of the cities where ISIS is strongest. Not just in the military sense, they are trying to strengthen themselves in the political sense as well. They also use this city as a new recruitment center. All blows dealt to ISIS here will bring about the end of ISIS. That is why the Raqqa operation is important. When we first arrived, we came to join the Rojava revolution. But there is this reality: The permanence of the Rojava Revolution is only possible through the unity of all the peoples of Syria in the framework of democratic life. The biggest obstacles the Rojava Revolution faces are ISIS gangs and the government of the Turkish state. The revolution of the peoples of the Middle East is also connected to this. So the Rojava revolution will bring about revolutions in Turkey and the Middle East. The first seeds of this is being planted in Rojava and Northern Syria here. Defeating a regressive force like ISIS will also push back their supporters and the system that produced them and even end them.

The Turkish government has increased their attacks and threats over Rojava since the Raqqa operation was launched. What do you think is the source of the unease regarding the Raqqa operation?

If ISIS is as strong and widespread today, one reason for it is the support the Turkish state has provided. The Turkish government carries out many acts they want, especially against leftist powers, via ISIS. The Turkish state also wants to control the oil in Rojava and Syria. In short, the Ottoman project the Erdoğan government dreams of today has its center in these lands. That is why they are so bothered by the fall of Raqqa. This shows in their attacks. This is why they try to attack Efrîn, why they try to enter Kobanê territory and why they attack Rojava in general. Taking Raqqa is very important to the Turkish state in this sense. All their efforts are geared towards stopping or sabotaging the Raqqa operation. The Turkish state has a close relationship with ISIS. These relationships have since been exposed for the most part. But with the liberation of Raqqa, they wil be exposed further. There are huge amounts of ammunition they provided. Today in Raqqa ISIS is fighting us with their ammunition. And Erdoğan is openly planning to spread ISIS ideology in Turkey. Erdoğan exploits the people’s religious beliefs to create a place for himself in the society, and he has achieved this to an extent. The Turkish state has been connected to ISIS as a whole in both the financial and social senses.

Taking Raqqa will be a great blow against the Erdoğan government. But this must be said: This is not just a struggle to be waged with guns. There is an ideological component to this. It is important to save the society from this mindset as a whole. And that would be possible through a strong and joint organization.

“DESTINED TO LOSE”

What is the latest in the Raqqa operation?

We have completed 60+ days in the operation. Forces are advancing in the city center. Several strategic posts have been taken from ISIS. The advance continues in two branches. We can now say that ISIS has completely been trapped. That is why they are attempting different methods to create lifelines for themselves occasionally. They laid down a lot of mines. They are trying to incorporate explosive laden vehicles, they resort to assassinations. They have dug dozens of tunnels below the city. But all their efforts are in vain. Despite everything they try, ISIS is doomed to failure. They are using highly immoral ways, for instance they are trying to hinder us by placing civilians between them and us. That is why sometimes civilians are harmed. This also causes the operation to slow down at times. Because it is very important for us that the civilians are not harmed. If necessary, we will wait in one spot for days, the important thing is the civilians being transported to safe zones unharmed.

“FOR THE REVOLUTIONARIES OF TURKEY ROJAVA IS A SCHOOL”

Parts of Turkey’s left have been silent in the face of this revolution for the last 7 years. What do you say about this?

I want to say the following regarding the groups who call themselves revolutionary but haven’t engaged in any struggles whatsoever yet:

If they truly believe themselves to be internationalists, they should identify with the Rojava Revolution. Not just to support it. To take part in this revolution and to fight against regressive ideologies in this revolution is also a requirement to be an internationalist revolutionary. It is especially important for the leftist movements of Turkey to participate in this revolution, because Turkey’s revolution is only possible through the Rojava revolution. It’s still not too late, they can come and join.

The Rojava revolution acts like a school for all revolutionary movements and groups. Especially for Turkey’s communists, the Rojava revolution can be a great field of study. In this sense, I say the communists of Turkey should join as soon as possible. Like the people of Palestine have fought for years against Israel, now the people in all four parts of Kurdistan wage a great struggle. There have been so many massacres. Revolutionaries who cry for Palestine should not stand and watch the Kurdish people and the Kurdish lands be harmed.