Northern Syria Democratic Federation's 19 July message

The Northern Syria Democratic Federation Executive Council issued a statement saying that their freedom struggle will continue and great achievements will be gained with the liberation of Raqqa as well.

Northern Syria Democratic Federation Executive Council Co-chairs issued a written statement on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the 19 July Revolution of Rojava.

The Executive Council emphasized that in the same way as the 19 July Revolution opened the way to the liberation of many areas in Syria, also the liberation of Raqqa city will mark great achievements.

The full text of the statement is as follows:

"We congratulate our people and all humanity on the 5th anniversary of the 19 July Revolution. We salute the martyrs and greet the heroic combatants fighting on the front lines and wish them success.

The 19 July Revolution has initiated a historic, modern and major new-start in whole Syria. This revolution brought to light the truth of the Syrian peoples' revolution and it developed to a revolution of the peoples, who rose up unanimously against all kinds of oppressions.

At a time when some sides of the Syrian Opposition derailed from the revolutionary core and began to serve the policies of some outside powers, those forces however that have spearheaded the 19 July Revolution abode by their revolutionary, democratic and national line.

These forces have gained many valuable accomplishments amidst most difficult circumstances and the revolution they led became one that commenced and prevailed under the leadership of the Kurdish youth. In the course of the time this revolution grew into a path that all peoples of Northern Syria adopted as their own.

The 19 July Revolution, which has been built upon the principles of Democratic Nation and the freedom of women, has achieved many intellectual, cultural and societal accomplishments. As a result the areas of Democratic Autonomous Administration became the safest areas in whole Syria.

The 19 Juy Revolution is a revolution for and of the people. It has protected human rights and all the peoples in Syria, and has become a revolution of the women's freedom as well, defending women's rights in all fields of life. It became the real revolution of the Syrian peoples, because it was fighting a struggle that stood for the hopes of all peoples of Syria and brought with it a free life. It was a human's revolution, protecting all oppressed peoples. This revolution has defeated ISIS and all their backing powers.

This revolution was born in Kobanê, capital of humanity. And at this moment this battle has drawn to an end, closing in the city Raqqa which was rendered to the capital of fear and terror by the enemies of humanity. The same like the 19 July Revolution kept making enormous accomplishments, also in Raqqa it will be victorious.

Based on those achievements of this revolution our people are establishing a new system of freedom, democracy and justice. The system of the Northern Syria Democratic Federation is a product of the 19 July Revolution. This revolution has realized the purpose and hopes of thousands of martyrs, who have sacrificed their lives for the realization of a free life.

On this occasion we vow once more to not submit to any power, no matter how severe and plentiful the difficulties and no matter how intense the attacks might be. We will put all efforts into the realization of a free democratic system, which lives up to all the peoples of these lands. Until freedom is achieved we will continue our works and efforts under the motto 'Either freedom, or freedom'."