Attacks on civilians at Tishreen dam continue

The Turkish state continues its war crimes with complete impunity. In the past hour Turkish drones again consciously targeted a civilian gathering at Tishreen dam, where people have been dancing. These acts are the epitome of terrorism - continuously aiming your weapons at civilians.
At least 2 civilians have been martyred and over 70 injured, among them also an internationalist activist for human rights and ecology.

This brings the number of civilian casualties at Tishreen dam, since the beginning of the vigil, to 12 martyrs and over 130 people have been injured (numbers as of today unclear).

YPJ General Command: Sozdar Derik salutes the people and calls to action

Since the 30.11.2024 the people of North-East Syria have been at war against the "Syrian National Army'. These attacks seek to occupy NE Syria and destroy the political project, the people's revolution, of building up a life that is principled by direct democracy, women's liberation and ecology.
As the people of NE Syria, and the armed forces (SDF, YPG, YPJ) have been fighting a fierce war to defend their homeland and the revolution, Sozdar Derik, member of the YPJ General Command, pays tribute to those who have defended the #Rojava revolution and sends her greetings to the people. In the name of YPJ, YPG and SDF she calls on all, especially the youth, to support the struggle for a free and democratic Syria and Kurdistan.

Watch her full statement on our Youtube-channel 👉 https://youtu.be/a3lzejDdx3s

Turkish war crimes at Tishreen dam continue

As the people's vigil at Tishreen dam is now in its 3rd week, we have continued to document Turkish war crimes against the people holding the vigil.

📌Overall, 203 civilians have been injured and 22 have been martyred due to Turkish attacks on the gathering and the convoys en route to Tishreen dam.

Read our full reports on the attacks in the 1st and the 2nd week of the vigil here: https://ypj-info.org/resources/

On 21st January YPJ commander Arjin Kobane was martyred as she stood on the frontlines at Tishrin Dam against the Turkish aggression until the very end, where she displayed extraordinary resistance and a decisive vision for victory. Commander Arjin has became a symbol of resistance and women’s heroism in the midst of an ongoing war that seeks to occupy North-East Syria and annihilate the project of direct democracy, women's liberation and ecology, showing unmatched courage to defend the women's revolution until the very end.

🌹 Arjîn Kobanê

Read the full statement by YPJ here: https://ypjrojava.net/en/?p=21521

Documenting Turkish war crimes

Over the past 30 days, 40 civilians have been martyred in drone attacks by the Turkish state. Over 270 civilians have been injured.
Only yesterday, the market of Sirrin town was hit, killing 12 civilians, many underaged. Turkish media claim to have hit SDF fighters in this bombing, while Turkey actually continues targeting civilians with impunity.

For live reporting & up-to-date infos of the current frontline in NE Syria in English language, follow https://t.iss.one/jkeasden

We are all YPJ

Women from Brasil, Italy, Baluchistan and Germany have send their greetings of support & solidarity to YPJ and all its fighters! ✌️💜

The New Syria Will Be Built By Women Who Struggle For Freedom

Statement of the YPJ General Command in regards to the newest developments in Damascus and general political situation in Syria:

📌 "In this context, while it is highly suspicious that the fate of an entire region is being determined solely by armed groups behind closed doors in Damascus on January 29, it is even more alarming that Hatim Abu Shaqra, the leader of the Ahrar al-Sharqiya group—which assassinated Future Syria Party leader Hevrin Khalaf in 2019—has joined this dubious conference."

📌 "As the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), we do not recognize the legitimacy of this conference or its resolutions."

📌 "The systematic killing of women marked the beginning of societal collapse in this region. Therefore, the new Syria will rise at the hands of women fighting for freedom, not at the hands of those who murder them."

Read full statement here: https://ypjrojava.net/en/?p=21542

Statement Condemning the Terrorist Bombing in Manbij

Our Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) condemn the terrorist bombing that occurred this morning in Manbij. We reaffirm that the use of explosive devices, infighting, terrorism, chaos, and incitement to sedition are fundamental tactics employed by the mercenary factions affiliated with Turkey. These factions consistently resort to such methods to instill fear among the population and suppress any protests against the deteriorating conditions in Manbij, including theft, looting, and sexual violence committed by their members.
Our forces, with extensive expertise in detecting criminals, stand ready to share our experiences in the investigation with the Damascus Administration to identify the true perpetrators behind these bombings and the parties that try to cover up their actions through baseless accusations hastily directed at our forces immediately without investigation or evidence, as an attempt to divert attention from the actual perpetrators responsible for these crimes.

SDF Media Center
February 3, 2025

https://sdf-press.com/en/2025/02/statement-condemning-the-terrorist-bombing-in-manbij/

Who rules Damascus now: "president" al-Sharaa and his "interim government"

On 29/01 Ahmad al-Sharaa announced himself as the new Syrian president. The previous leader of HTS had been running a de-facto Islamic state in the Syrian province Idlib, the area which had been under control of HTS. As the Assad regime fell and HTS took control over Damascus, al-Sharaa quickly announced an "interim government". Initially it was set for a period of 4 months, until the end of March 2025. The "interim government" was announced in December 2024. Al-Sharaa later corrected himself, stating that he process of building a new gov't will rather last 3 years were as in the 4th year elections can take place.

The "interim government" has been made up only of men (except one women holding the position of "Head of Woman's Office") most of which had either previously served as ‘ministers’ in the Idlib region or/ and had been long involved with HTS.
One example is Anas Hassan Khattab, who along al-Sharaa was a founding member of Jabhat al-Nusra in 2012 and now became the “Chief of Intelligence” services. Marhaf Abu Qasra, the long-term chief of military of HTS became the “minister of defense”. The “minister of justice” by the name Shadi Muhammad al-Waisi, who also carried the role of “minister of Justice” in Idlib, was involved in the public execution of a women in 2015.

On 29th January, al-Sharaa held a “victory speech". This speech was held at a military counsel meeting and was not public. In this speech, he announced himself as the new president of Syria legitimised by this counsel of military personnel. The meeting itself was not made public, was not open to anyone from civil society and military personnel from some regions, such as North-East Syria, were also entirely excluded.

15th February: The black day

The 15th February has been dubbed 'the black day' for the Kurdish freedom struggle since the imprisonment of the leader, ideologue and pioneer Abdullah Öcalan on this day in 1999.

Beginning with his departure from Syria, people began protests under the slogan "You cannot darken my sun". 60 revolutionaries sacrificed themselves until Öcalan himself asked to end the self-sacrifice. The protests aimed to end his imprisonment and achieved to overturn the death sentence he was given in 1999.

In isolation, Abdullah Öcalan wrote several books & renewed the paradigm of the Kurdish freedom movement. His new thought based on the principles of democratic confederalism, women's liberation and ecology inspired the revolution in NE Syria and gave birth to a strong and hopeful new current of worldwide liberation!

#BijiSerokApo

The SDC published a statement regarding the 'Syrian National Dialogue Conference' which was initiated by the Damascus authority/ "interim gov't" and excludes many parts of Syrian society:

Statement for the Syrian Public Opinion

The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) expresses its grave concern regarding the formation of the preparatory committee for the Syrian National Dialogue Conference. The SDC notes that this committee’s composition reflects a single political spectrum and orientation. This composition fundamentally undermines the crucial principle of fair and comprehensive representation. Such representation, the SDC believes, must include all components of the Syrian people.

This constituted committee does not represent the Syrian people in all their diversity and variety. There is a clear exclusion of political, societal, and national powers, which constitute a large and significant proportion of the Syrian society’s structure. The SDC believes that this exclusion is a flagrant violation of the principle of national partnership, a cornerstone of any legitimate political process.

The SDC further emphasizes that the deliberate neglect and intentional absence of key national political powers does not reflect a genuine intention to involve all Syrians in shaping the future of Syria. These powers have opposed the Assad regime for years. They have endured significant hardship, including killing, arrest, and displacement. This exclusion, the SDC believes, effectively replicates the policies of marginalization that characterized the Assad regime. Such actions create a significant obstacle to the establishment of a truly democratic state.

At the preparatory committee’s press conference, the spokesperson made remarks that revealed the appropriation of the Syrian people’s right to decide their country’s future, including its governance and representation. The SDC stresses that differing opinions are a fundamental pillar of the success of any dialogue. The committee should not presuppose the outcomes and objectives of the dialogue. It does not have the right to accuse any Syrian party of accusations that are not befitting of a dialogue advocate, nor are they consistent with the facts on the ground.

The SDC affirms its commitment to working with all Syrian political and societal powers, and with all segments of Syrian society, as genuine and active partners in building the future of Syria. It underscores the participation of all Syrian groups in all stages, phases, and requirements of the transitional process. It urgently calls for a reconsideration of the formation of the preparatory committee in a way that serves the National Dialogue Conference. This committee should be inclusive of all Syrian components and in line with the priorities of the transitional phase. Additionally, the committee should lay the foundation for a genuine national dialogue that contributes to building a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria that guarantees the rights of all its citizens

February 15, 2025
Syrian Democratic Council

m-syria-d.com/en/?p=8268