The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) reacted to the attacks of the Turkish state which has been shelling civilian settlements, infrastructure and vital supply facilities since Saturday, claiming lives.

Hisên Osman, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, read the statement and said the following:

"At a time when the new year is welcomed with hope and wishes for peace all over the world, the Turkish state, which has made massacre and slaughter a tradition, has put this mentality into action again.

The Turkish state has been pursuing this approach for more than 10 years and has been trying to incite chaos in the region. Especially for the last three months, it has been attacking our regions, our infrastructure, our oil fields and our service institutions unceasingly.

These service institutions, which were also targeted in October, are trying to provide services to those living in the region. Again, they produce services to alleviate the burden of the people due to war and embargo.

The Turkish state wants to take revenge for ISIS with its attacks and to recover its gangs that were defeated by the resistance of the fighters. It also wants to besiege and destroy the project established by our people with great labour to protect the unity of the Syrian people and to ensure justice and peace.

Despite the Turkish state's efforts to break the growing will supported by the people, the Democratic Autonomous Administration and its institutions continue to serve the people. With these attacks, the Turkish state wants to revive ISIS in the region and disrupt the struggle against ISIS. The Turkish state also wants to create civil unrest by supporting some groups in the region.

As the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, we condemn the Turkish state’s attacks in North and East Syria and the targeting of civilians and service institutions. This aggression creates humanitarian and economic hardship. It threatens peacekeeping efforts and the fight against terrorism.

We call on the UN, relevant legal and humanitarian organisations to take a clear stance against these attacks that threaten the peace and unity of millions of people.

We also call on the International Coalition to take a clear and transparent stance against these attacks, which must end as soon as possible. They threaten the gains made against terrorism, have a negative impact on the general situation and threaten peace and security. We also call upon Russia to take a clear stand against this conflict. Due to an unlimited threat, there is a direct reaction not only to our regions, but to every region of Syria.

We call on the government in Damascus and all parties to protect the unity of Syria and to take a stand against these attacks on the whole of Syria and the territories of North and East Syria. These attacks against the institutions and organisations that serve the Syrian people are a threat to the sovereignty of both the region and Syria.

Finally, we call on our people and all the components to unite as in difficult times, to be vigilant against sedition, chaos and attacks, and to protect the democratic nation project.

We call on everyone to protect themselves on the basis of defence and legitimate self-defence. We will do whatever it takes to defend our territory, to eliminate the attacks of the Turkish state and to frustrate all its plans of confusion and destruction. We want to ensure the unity of our people, implement the democratic nation project, build a multi-coloured Syria and consolidate our victory.

We promise our people that we will protect our gains. We will continue our struggle until we build a free society."