General Command of the People’s Defense Units (YPG) has released a statement regarding the developments in Hesekê city of Rojava, West Kurdistan.

YPG said that on August 18, 2016, Syrian regime warplanes struck civilian areas and Asayish Security Forces’ headquarters in Hesekê city. Simultaneously, regime forces randomly targeted the city with artillery and heavy gunfire – killing and injuring tens of civilians. This has led to a great fear among Hesekê residents, forcing them to leave their homes and flee the city.

YPG recalled that there were previously heavier clashes between Asayish and regime forces inside Hesekê – yet warplanes were never utilized by regime forces.

The YPG statement underlined that; "At a time the People’s Defense Units (YPG) and the Democratic Syria Forces (SDF) have achieved yet another success in the fight against Daesh (ISIS) terrorists, using warplanes and heavy weaponry to target residential neighborhoods interprets into an attempt to undermine the good results of Manbij offensive, and backing Daesh. This, too, means the regime sees Daesh’s losses as its own – to accomplish its sordid plans, the regime hopes for the remaining of Daesh. By implementing such actions, the regime is committing a suicide.

Deceiving the public opinion, Syrian regime claims “there is a ceasefire in Hasakah”. To this moment, regime forces are severely shelling all neighborhoods in Hasakah, applying all types of weapons."

YPG stressed that they as the People’s Defense Units, shall not remain silent in face of these brutal attacks on the people, adding; "To protect the people, we will strongly stand against the assaults, and respond to those killing our people."