Rise up for Afrin! Let’s defend the Women’s Revolution in Rojava!

Rise up for Afrin! Let’s defend the Women’s Revolution in Rojava!

Today is the 10^th day of the attempt of the Turkish state to militarily occupy the Kurdish city of Afrin in Northern Syria (Rojava). Since January 20, 2018 the Turkish military and allied Jihadists are attacking Afrin from the ground and from the air. They are not only targeting the People’s and Women’s Defense Forces YPG and YPJ, who have been fighting the Islamic State bravely and effectively, but also civilians and cultural treasures in a conscious way. Until today according to official numbers from the Administration of Canton Afrin 60 civilians were killed and 153 civilians wounded during Turkish attacks.

Although the Turkish president Erdogan claims aim of this aggressive war is “cleaning it from terrorists” the systematic attacks on civilians, infrastructure and cultural heritage shows that the Turkish state wants ethnic cleansing. Statements of Turkish government officials, including the President and Prime Minister as well as video footage from Jihadists that fight with Turkey state clearly the real intention which is ethnic cleansing through massacres and forces displacement, the destruction of the pluralist self-government of Canton Afrin, the elimination of the collective will and autonomy of Kurds and the rejection of women’s leading participation in all parts of life.

Today marks also the 4^th anniversary of the proclamation of the Democratic Self-Administration of Canton Afrin. Afrin sets an example for democratic and pluralistic self-administration in multiethnic and multireligious places. Although the majority of the population is Kurdish, Arab, Turkmen, Armenian and Assyrian people are living there, too. Afrin is home of Muslims, Christians and Yazidis. But they are all represented in the administration.

Despite blockages and disruptions of supply, Afrin managed to receive hundreds of thousands IDPs, sharing their bread and soil with refugees. A large number of civilians killed by Turkish attacks within the last days were IDPs. Especially the refugee camp Rubar in Afrin is target of attacks.

Afrin is also place where the Kurdish Women’s Protection Forces (YPJ) was founded in March 2014. It’s the place where the first female fighter of the YPJ, Silava Efrîn, lost her life defending her country against attacks from proxy forces in May 2014. It’s place and symbol of the women’s revolution that is shining from Rojava on the whole world.

Therefore as women of the world it is our historic duty to defend the women’s revolution of Rojava and Northern Syria against all kinds of fascist, jihadist, occupying attacks. It is our responsibility to defend the democratic and pluralist self-government of the people and their collective will against occupation.

It’s time to stand up for the revolution, for women’s freedom, for peace and self-determination. We call on the women of the world to show support, to act in solidarity and to defend Afrin. Call your governments take political, diplomatic and legal action against Turkish attacks on Afrin. Put pressure on them. Tell the people of Afrin that you stand beside them with statements and calls, protest actions and meetings. Build networks or join existing ones because our solidarity is our strength.

For further information: repak_@outlook.com

Information Desk from Afrin: IC.afrinresistance@gmail.com Twitter: @ICafrinresist

January 29, 2018

Kurdish Women’s Relation Office (REPAK)