YPJ Kobanê Commander Engizek Nurhak, one of the fighters organizing Kobanê Martyrs Revenge Initiative, stated that they were near the entrance of Sırrin and the clashes around the town continue. Nurhak said that the initiative continues successfully and the YPG/YPJ spirit for revenge would crush the gangs. Nurhak called on people to organize self-defense forces.

The Kobanê Martyrs Revenge Initiative that began on July 1 continues as YPG/YPJ forces liberate many areas from ISIS gangs. YPG/YPJ fighters reached the hill on the outskirts of Sırrin and can now see the town.

YPJ Kobanê Commander Engizek Nurhak spoke to ANF and evaluated the operation that began as a furious response to the massacre that took place in Kobanê.

'THE INITIATIVE TOOK ON A NEW MEANING AFTER THE MASSACRE'

Nurhak said that that they launched the initiative in three different fronts after the liberation of Kobanê city center. Nurhak stated that the initiative aimed to expulse ISIS gangs and reach the previous borders of Kobanê canton.

Nurhak recalled the brutal and cowardly massacre ISIS gangs carried out in Kobanê, and said that this massacre shows how great of a danger ISIS is to the civilians who live in and around Kobanê. Nurhak stated that the initiative took on a new meaning after the massacre and aims to liberate the town of Sırrin from ISIS gangs as well as avenging the massacre of civilians in Kobanê.

Nurhak said that they were determined to bring ISIS gangs to account for the massacre they carried out, and all YPG/YPJ fighters were eager to join the Sırrin initiative. Nurhan added that many YPG/YPJ fighters volunteered to carry out acts of self-sacrifice but such sacrifices were not necessary at the moment.

'WE ARE NEAR THE ENTRANCE OF SIRRİN'

Nurhak stated that the initiative continued in great morale and enthusiasm, and both the commanders and the fighters feel angry. Nurhak said that only a few fighters got injured and there have not been any casualties so far, whereas more than 40 gang members were killed. Nurhak added that they seized large amounts of guns and ammunition as the gangs continue to receive heavy blows.

Nurhak reported that they liberated many villages surrounding Sırrin, and came near the entrance of Sırrin, where clashes between YPG/YPJ fighters and ISIS gangs continue.

'WE WILL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO RAQQA IF NECESSARY’

Nurhak emphasized that their main goal was to expulse ISIS gangs from Sırrin, which was used as an attack base during the ISIS assault on Kobanê. Nurhak said that one of the groups that carried out the Kobanê massacre infiltrated from Sırrin and the liberation of the town would help prevent future massacre attempts. Nurhak said that they would go all the way down to Raqqa if necessary and expulse ISIS gangs from everywhere in order to create a democratic Syria. Nurhak emphasized that their forces were ready to fight not only for Kurdistan but also for peoples everywhere who are under ISIS occupation.

‘YPJ HAS KEY ROLE IN THE INITIATIVE’

Nurhak highlighted the key role of YPJ in the operation and said that YPJ fighters and commanders play an active role just like they did during the resistance in Kobanê city center. Nurhak added that YPJ and YPG participate in the initiative with an equal number of attack and operation forces.

'YPJ’S SPRIT OF REVENGE WILL CRUSH THE GANGS'

Nurhak reminded that ISIS attacks target women and the majority of the casualties in Kobanê massacre were women. Nurhak stated that ISIS gangs did this on purpose and the YPJ initiative would avenge every women massacred in Kobanê. Nurhak added that the YPJ spirit of revenge would crush the gangs.

'OUR PEOPLE COULD PARTICIPATE IN SELF-DEFENSE'

Nurhak underlined the need for civilians in Kobanê canton to organize their self-defense and said that civilians did not necessarily have to join the YPG or YPJ. Nurhak invited civilians to protect their houses and streets, which would buy YPG/YPJ fighters significant time in the case of responding to an ISIS attack on a civilian population. Nurhak ended by saying that everyone should draw lessons from the last massacre and take necessary precautions in order to defend their lands, towns and villages.