Turkish state enmity to the Kurds continues - The purpose of the Turkish states’ intervention in Syria is not to attack ISIS, but to destroy the gains made by the Kurds and other groups, in order to further destabilize Syria.

On 24 August 2016, the Turkish state occupied the city of Jarablus, North Syria under the pretense of fighting ISIS. The timing of the occupation of Jarablus, which sits on the Turkish Syrian border, is important. The move followed the liberation of an ISIS stronghold, Minbij, by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Minbij military council on 13 August 2016.

The Turkish army and its alliance forces captured Jarablus with no fight, indicating a previous agreement. There was no battle during the occupation of Jarablus and ISIS fighters simply changed their ‘uniforms’ to El-Nusra ones. This means, ISIS is still operating in the area, albeit under a different name.

The Turkish state and its partners have now started an intense offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Minbij Military council, Kurdish people and other civilians in the areas, under the cover story that Kurdish Defense Forces (YPG) are still in Minbij. This is something officially denied by YPG Headquarters, who say that they left the area shortly after the liberation of Minbij. Some local sources have reported the use of chemical weapons by Turkey and affiliated groups against civilians in some villages (Al-Amarne, Dendeniye) in order to take them from the SDF.

The occupation by the Turkish state that is occurring before the eyes of the whole world is a violation of international law. The states that approved and stay silent to this occupation (EU and US). ISIS attacks in Europe have been aided by and carried out through the border controlled by Turkey, and therefore, the occupation leaves the west and humanity vulnerable to further ISIS attacks. Whereas, the SDF, made up of Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Armenians and other groups were on the brink of defeating and shutting off the borders on ISIS, the Turkish occupation has prevented the defeat of ISIS.

The Turkish state is operating in partnership with the El-Qaida affiliated Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (previously Al Nusra) and ISIS. Jarablus has been seized through an agreement between them. We believe that, the Turkish state and these terrorist groups will spread their attacks across the region.

To prevent further war and chaos and to save the lives of thousands of civilians and more refugees it is essential:

• We call upon all democratic public opinion and all international institutions to raise their voices against the dirty games of Turkey and their occupation.
• We call upon the EU and US to cease all their support for the actions of the Turkish state.
• To stand together against Turkish state intervention and war.
• Stop the Turkish occupation and support the Democratic Federation in Syria

KNK Executive Council