Communists in North and East Syria Prepare to Defend the Revolution

Written by: MLKP on 21 December 2024

To encourage people in Melbourne to support today's rally in defence of Rojava (4pm at the State Library) we reproduce this report from the International Bulletin of the Marxist-Leninist Party/ Turkey and Kurdistan (MLKP). 

(Above: Demonstration in Al-Dirbasiyah/Dirbêsiyê in support of SDF on December 20. Neither Turkish occupation nor Islamist gangs will break the will to freedom of these women.)

Communists in North and East Syria Prepare to Defend the Revolution

After the occupation attack by HTŞ (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) on Aleppo on November 27, the Tur kish colonialist state, along with its militias, targeted Şehba, Til Rifat, and later Minbic and Kobanê with the same goal. The Autonomous Administration called for mobilization. The communists of Rojava responded to this call and quickly began mobilization efforts to de fend Northern and Eastern Syria, as well as all of Syria. Cemil Sîdwo, representative of the Communist Revolutionary Movement (TKŞ), spoke about the work done so far:

"In this recent period, the most urgent request from us was the defense of cities, neighborhoods, and the people. The goal of the former Syrian regime was to use Daesh (ISIS) as a tool to attack some of our cities. For this reason, the Autonomous Administration declared a state of ‘emergency.‘ We also participated in this and have been on duty to defend the neighborhoods and cities. 

“We are on guard day and night. We are also living in this revolution. The revolution is ours; we de fend it. Military-wise, some of our groups participated in the defense. If our comrades defended Şengal (Sinjar), that experience today guides us here on a broader scale. We participated in the defense and put that experience into practice.“

He added that the Communist Women’s Movement (JKŞ) and the Communist Youth Movement (CKŞ) have conducted military and political training and participated in the defense of neighborhoods. Politically, Syria has entered a new phase, and the communists are an active part of it. Sîdwo pointed out some dangers: 

"In this phase, we need to act very cautiously. Why? Because the enemy wants to play a destructive role here. They aim to create chaos, cause division, and launch psychological warfare against the people. We didn’t allow this step by the enemy. Especially the peoples of Northern and Eastern Syria, particularly those in Rojava, have united, shook hands, and stood firm against the policies being applied here. Why? Because a very dirty policy is being pursued. We can call it a politics of life or death. 

“The people are holding on to their land with all available means and have thwarted the enemy‘s plans. They wanted to create conflict between the Kurdish and Arab peoples. But we did not allow the enemy to implement this policy. With the right approach and unity, we prevented what they intended to do. We supported those who fled from Afrin and Şehba to Roja va. Whatever we had, we collected and brought it to the refugees from cities like Qamişlo (Qamishli), Hesekê (Hasakah), Kobanê (Ayn al-Arab), and Til Temir." 

Ekin İsyan, (left) spokesperson for the CKŞ, spoke about their ongoing work: 

"We continue our work in the spirit of mobilization. The goal of the Turkish occupation state is to sow fear among the people and simultaneously seize our achievements in the ensuing chaos. As children of the Rojava Revolution, we have spent 12-13 years in this revolution. We have fought for this revolution and paid a price for it. 

“The fascist Turkish state does not want us to gain our rights. Therefore, it is launching its attacks against us, the people of Rojava. This is a mobilization phase, and our actions are focused on self-defense. 

“The Rojava revolution plays a very important role. We have sacrificed many martyrs. Therefore, we need to act accordingly. Especially young people and

“The misogynistic policies of political Islamist militias want to sacrifice us for themselves and their jihadist cause. They want to enslave women again. They want to place us under the system represented by Daesh’s black flag. Turkey’s collaboration with Daesh is evident. But Rojava is our value. We stand by our values, which we have fought for and earned over the years. These attacks do not mean they can make us retreat from our will. As the children of Rojava, as young men and women living in the revolutionary lands, our greatest task is to defend the achievements of this revolution. 

“The Turkish state should know that no one can turn us away from our goal. We are ready, just as we worked for this revolution in the past, we will work with even more determination in the future. 

“Members of CKŞ continue their mobilization in cities such as Hesekê, Qamişlo, and Kobanê. Especially during the state of emergency declared by the Autonomous Administration, we focus on training our youth in self-defense and preparing them for practical self-defense. We provide shooting training and conduct street patrols and neighborhood watches. 

“I want to call on the youth in Rojava and all around the world: Defend Rojava, because Rojava is our greatest achievement. Rojava is the foundation of the revolution in the Middle East.”

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