Since the beginning of the revolution, attacks by the Turkish state and its affiliated gangs have continued relentlessly in Northern and Eastern Syria. Recently, in response to the Turkish state’s ongoing occupation attacks in the region, the Autonomous Administration and the people of the region declared a state of mobilization. Following this declaration, all the people and organizations of the region united in resistance, and TEV-ÇAND became one of the organizations participating in the mobilization, contributing to the resistance.

Sumeya Mihemed, co-chair of TEV-ÇAND in Northern and Eastern Syria, spoke to ANF about the mobilization and their ongoing efforts. Mihemed said: "We became part of the mobilization announced due to the recent developments, and we expanded our efforts by taking our place in the resistance. We witnessed a displacement situation in Shehba. In response, we carried out activities in Northern and Eastern Syria. As TEV-ÇAND, we formed committees and launched initiatives to stand by and support our people who were forced to migrate. Currently, the region is going through a very sensitive period. However, the occupiers' attacks on the region have continued without interruption since the revolution began. We have witnessed how the people of Afrin have been subjected to repeated attacks and forced migration. Most recently, we encountered the same situation in Shehba. In response to the ongoing displacement and attacks in the region, we have also implemented many cultural activities."

Art with the spirit of mobilization

Sumeya Mihemed pointed out that the recent attacks have targeted the achievements of the revolution and continued: "Recently, we have witnessed numerous efforts to stir discord among the components of the region. As TEV-ÇAND, we created two songs in Raqqa, produced with the spirit of revolutionary people's war by Hunergeha Welat, to counter these attempts and support the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). One of these songs was in Arabic. Additionally, various video clips were produced by our cultural groups. The efforts made duringthis mobilization involved all groups across the North and East Syria region.

Furthermore, cultural works covering all components of the region were carried out. Many artists turned towards TEV-ÇAND and wanted to show their support for SDF through cultural activities. Because they recognized that SDF stands for all people. Additionaly, we carried out numerous activities for children. Particularly for those children who have witnessed war and endured hardship, our efforts are uplifting. We also organized entertainment, performances, and festivals for them."

"We will protect our lands with the spirit of mobilization"

Sumeya emphasized that TEV-ÇAND has been actively involved in defense efforts and continued: "As TEV-ÇAND, we have participated in artistic works that emerged in the region. We organized seminars and participated in defense units. The efforts we made were not limited to a single region. In Kobane, we have had numerous activities from the very first day. We carried out our efforts within the scope of the mobilization activities. With the spirit of mobilization, we protected our streets and neighborhoods from the smallest to the largest. We expanded our resistance to ensure that genocidal acts against the Yazidi people and the Kurdish people are not repeated. For this purpose, we organized ourselves across all fields. We are calling on artists from all four parts of Kurdistan, both within and outside, to take up their roles. We urge them to participate in our activities."

Sumeya Mihemed stated that women have been at the forefront of the resistance and added: "Women continue to lead the resistance.  They are on the front lines. We call on all women to take their place in the mobilization and to stand up for their will. Let us defend our lands. Even our 70-year-old mothers are on the front lines of resistance. They are taking up arms and defending their land, and they are a great source of morale. We are calling on all women in institutions to participate in this resistance. Young women, in particular, join the resistance. We see how women, with their colors and voices, are present in the resistance. YPJ fighters give us strength and morale. Many artistic works related to women’s resistance have been created, and songs have been sung. These works, besides being a great source of morale, will also remain as historical works for the future."