Attacks by groups affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government against Aleppo’s neighbourhoods of Şêxmeqsûd, Eşrefiyê and Benî Zêd have been on-going. Since the attacks began on January 6, local internal security forces in the neighbourhoods have been mounting strong resistance. Heavy weapons are being used in the assaults carried out under Turkish control against the neighbourhoods, which have been under siege for months. While many people have lost their lives, numerous others have been injured. Calls from various circles for the attacks to be stopped continue to grow.

 

Co-spokesperson of the Green Left Party (YSP) Ahmet Asena and Chair of the Labour Party (EHP) Hakan Öztürk stated that the attacks must end immediately.

 

‘ALL SECTIONS MUST RAISE THEIR VOICES’

 

Stating that forcing a people to leave the areas they live in is neither humane nor lawful, Ahmet Asena said the attacks on Aleppo’s neighbourhoods are unacceptable. Emphasizing that it is the most natural right of the Kurdish people to defend their living spaces, Asena said that everyone in Syria wants a system of their own choosing to be established.

 

Recalling that the peoples of Syria want to build their own structures, Asena said that countries such as Turkey or the United States have no right to decide what Syria should become.

 

“Everyone must abandon these imperialist plans. We can read these attacks as assaults on the possibility of peoples living together. There are a series of initiatives in Syria that deepen polarization; this has been the case since Ottoman times. These attacks must be stopped immediately. All opposition forces in Turkey must also raise their voices with this call,” he said.

 

‘WE STRONGLY CONDEMN THE ATTACKS’

 

Hakan Öztürk also said that such attacks are unacceptable at a time when peace is being discussed, stressing that it is unacceptable for assaults to continue while a new political framework is being built.

 

Öztürk said: “If we speak of unity and togetherness, we must take a common stance against all forms of oppression. Therefore, we strongly condemn this situation. Even if the government is insincere in this process, we must act consistently and show them the right path. Öcalan has put forward a clear position on this issue. The stance of the PKK is also clear. We are proceeding on this basis. All sides must speak in line with the language of the process. Everyone in Turkey must abide by this.”

 

‘NEGOTIATIONS MUST BE CONCLUDED’

 

Öztürk stated that the demands of the peoples in Syria must be taken into account and that the Syrian administration must accept this reality. He concluded: “We must explain that the people want peace. Peace must come to Syria. The Kurdish side favors negotiations, and these negotiations must be brought to completion.”

 

MA / Ugurcan Boztas