A workshop titled "The Voice of Kobanê and Rojava Resistance in Silence" was organized by Kobanê University. Numerous teachers, students, academics, and intellectuals from the Euphrates Canton participated in the workshop. The workshop addressed developments in Syria, the ongoing attacks by the Turkish state, the unity of the Kurds, the impact of war on education, as well as general educational issues.
Speaking via Zoom at the workshop, YPG Spokesperson Nuri Mahmoud evaluated the current situation in Syria, saying: "The occupying Turkish state and its militias continue their attacks on the region. Yet, the fighters continue their strong resistance. After the fall of the Baath regime, the administration of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) attacked the people with brutal methods. Indeed, when the Rojava Revolution started, the people resisted with the spirit of a revolutionary popular war. These people are still fighting alongside the fighters today, embodying the spirit of a revolutionary popular war."
Mahmoud highlighted that after the collapse of the Baath regime, HTS has become the new regime in Syria and continues its war agenda. He added, "The occupying Turkish state continues its relentless attacks, particularly against the Tishrin Dam and Qereqozax regions, to ensure that the peoples of North and East Syria, including Kurds, Arabs, and Assyrians, do not obtain any status in this new phase of Syria."
Leyla Shemsedin Ahmed, a member of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), emphasized the importance of Kurdish unity during this period. "There's also been a call for a National Congress because the people and the region need it more than anything. Despite political differences, the unity of the Kurds is a strategic necessity. With this unity, they can appear stronger before the countries of the world and assert a strong stance," she stated.
Sherwan Muslim, co-president of Kobanê University, mentioned the adverse effects of wars on education, noting that institutions in the Euphrates region of Rojava were particularly affected.
Professor Thomas Schmidinger from Erbil University commented: "Kobanê holds a high place in European politics and public opinion. We are currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of the liberation of Kobanê. The situation arising from the attacks by ISIS and the Turkish state was evaluated, including how Kobanê became a symbol during the ISIS attacks and the role it played in defeating ISIS."
The workshop ended with the reading of the final declaration, which included the following points:
-A local system that protects the rights of all components and a justice concept must be established in the new Syria.
-The Autonomous Administration model, established on the principles of the democratic nation paradigm, should be adopted as the solution model across all of new Syria.
-Democratic Syria should be built on the foundation of women's freedom. Furthermore, in the new Syria, women should be a fundamental part of all aspects of life (governance, constitution, legitimate defense, etc.).
-The democratic autonomous system should combat religious, racist, and sexist issues.
-Prompt practical negotiations and initiatives should start for a democratic Kurdish national unity. Steps must be taken to establish the Kurdistan National Congress.
-The rights of the Kurdish people, like other peoples, should be secured in Syria’s new constitution.
-The educational status in the regions of North and East Syria should be disclosed to the public through statistics and data.
-Actions by the enemy that deprive children and students of their educational rights should be shared and explained to the international public through documentation.
-The Democratic Syrian Forces (SDF), which defend the values of the peoples of North and East Syria, should be a project that will defend all of Syria.
-The resistance at Tishrin Dam and Qerekozak Bridge led by SDF should be the light of freedom for the peoples of North and East Syria.
-Organizing a revolutionary people's war is possible with the mentality of legitimate defense and securing a free society.