The General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) organised a press conference on the developments in Syria. SDF General Commander Mazlûm Ebdî and YPJ Commander Rohilat Efrîn answered the questions of journalists.

Mazlum Abdi gave the following answers to the questions:

“There are more than 250 thousand people in Kurdish neighbourhoods in Aleppo. They are under siege. We have local forces there and they heroically defend our people. We want the problem in the Kurdish neighbourhoods to be solved through dialogue. We are continuing our initiatives for our people to stay there, live with their own identity and as part of the new Aleppo.

Turkey's threats continue. They threaten Manbij and other cities. However, we have said before that we want to solve our problems with Turkey through dialogue. There are also attempts by the Coalition Forces to reduce the tension here. Our preparations against possible attacks in Manbij and all cities in Northern and Eastern Syria are complete. The SDF has the power to protect our people from all attacks.

After the latest attacks, a big vacuum has emerged in Syria. The Syrian regime withdrew from some places. ISIS is filling these gaps. We have seen how ISIS has mobilised in many places and increased its attacks. We are taking every measure to defend our people in Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa and Tabqa. We call on our people to unite around the SDF.

We are in contact with the International Coalition Forces against the ISIS threat. There is a need to strengthen this liaison.

A new military and political process has emerged in Syria. Recent developments have shown the fact that a political solution is needed. We are in favour of this political process. In the previous processes, the northern and eastern Syrian authorities did not take part in the negotiations and therefore those negotiations did not succeed. We are ready for a political solution. Representatives of northern and eastern Syria should take part in the new process so that a solution can be found for the country as a whole.

We have contact with the HTS in the context of Aleppo. We have not fought with them until now. A new process has emerged. HTS has spread to many places in Syria. What concerns us is that our area should not be the target of attacks. If there is an attack, we will protect it. We will respond no matter who attacks us. Tension must be reduced. There must be a ceasefire with all forces. We must solve our problems through political means.

We are liaising with all forces to protect our region from attacks. We are also in contact with Iraq and other states. There is a risk of attack through this region. There are threats from Turkey. There are threats in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. However, we are taking whatever measures are necessary to protect our people. We are in contact with the Coalition Forces and Russia, especially the USA.

Threats from Turkish-backed groups continue. We have taken military measures to protect ourselves from the attacks of these groups, but we do not want another conflict in the region. We are in contact with the coalition and other forces for a political solution of the problems. We are more ready than ever for a possible attack. Whoever attacks will be severely repelled. 

We were in contact with the USA in order to get our people living in Shehba and Til Fırat, which are under a threat of attack, out of there. The USA was also in touch with other states with which it has contact. However, many people are still there. The groups there prevented these people. People were killed and kidnapped. The process of evacuating all of our people from there is still not finalised. If there is no obstruction, this process will be completed today.

More than ever, there is an opportunity for a political solution. Representatives from here must be involved in this process. We are in contact with UN representatives who also want the representatives of this region to take part in the solution.

We have no decision to fight the HTS. They are not in a position to fight us either. We will look at their actions and see whether they will keep their promises or not.

We will do whatever is necessary to prevent the disintegration of Syria and to achieve a political solution. We are in contact with neighbouring states, especially Iraq and Jordan.

There's a risk to Hol Camp. There is a mobility. ISIS took courage from recent events. In this process, we need to be in more contact with the anti-ISIS Coalition Forces.

The situation in Syria has changed, it is not like before. The forces of the Syrian army are not here. For this reason, the situation has changed militarily. There will also be a change. It is too early now. However, what is important for us is the defence of the region.

The Syrian government must also accept a political solution and take steps. They were not open to the solution of the Kurdish question before. Now they should take a step and not obstruct the solution.

The solution is no longer in the hands of the Syrian government alone. There are many sides to the solution. The Syrian government must also recognise this. It can no longer refuse everything as before.

The international powers, the UN, must make efforts for a political solution this time. The administration in North and East Syria must also be part of the solution.

ISIS is very dangerous for both sides of the Euphrates. We have to think about both sides.

We are open to everyone to solve the problems. HTS is also included in this. Our aim is to protect our people. We strive for the political status of this place. Whoever is open to this, we will approach positively. Contrary to what Turkey says, we are not a danger. These discourses are spread on purpose. Our concern is to defend our own territory.”

Rohilat Efrin gave the following answers:

“There are captured women fighters. Some women organised under the name of Şehid Jiyan Tolhildan are among those captured.

Turkey and affiliated groups are the most misogynistic. YPJ and our other forces will respond to these attacks. The Turkish state and its affiliated groups should be tried in international courts. This must be avenged in the person of the captured women. As the YPJ, we are determined to protect our people and women.

After what happened, there were attacks by ISIS. All our people must be prepared and organised against this gap. At the same time, they should unite in a defence position. We will continue our defence as we have responded until today.”