Proposed Military Strike on Syria

[John Dolva]

11:05

April 12 / 2015

Cahide Harputlu/Beritan Elyakut

KOBANÊ – Anarchists who traveled to Kobanê to see the revolution for themselves and to make a documentary say the Rojava revolution is an example of what anarchists have tried to bring to life throughout their history of struggle.

Zeki Yılmaz and Su Ender, of the International of Anarchist Federations, are currently in Kobanê, where they came to acquaint the world with the revolution ongoing in Rojava by making a documentary.

"In Kobanê, at the same time as there's a war, there's a new life being woven here," explained Su. "Because of the morale built here, there's a really wonderful solidarity between people." She said that the struggle in Rojava had a number of points of intersection with the anarchist struggle around the world.

"We see a number of things that we have very much in common with the society being built here. Along with the federal structure, there's the fact that women are so much in the forefront here," she said. "From the very beginning, an important mission of this revolution has been for women to always be in the front ranks."

She touched on the history of the anarchist movement, noting that women like Emma Goldman would be at home in Rojava.

"There have been a number of anarchist societies in history, but they have been small and short-lived," she said. "The system and thinking here is very broad, including many cultures, languages, religions and ethnic identities. For there to be a society like this is extraordinary; it's a first in history."

Zeki Yılmaz says their group had long been in close conversation with people in Kobanê, but they returned to Kobanê to make their connections more concrete. They have been working in the city with the people for the last two and a half months, particularly trying to show the human toll of war on the people there.

"They say it's like Stalingrad, but it's worse than that," he said. "You need to analyze this place according to its own conditions. It's been totally ruined, more than Stalingrad, and the people have suffered more. In addition to all this, we're talking about a people whose country has been sacked, whose language and culture have been ignored.

"However much we can express anarchism in theory, there are few examples of it being brought to life," said Zeki. "That's why the system being brought to life here is so important to us."

(cm/mg)

[John Dolva]

Kobanê victory splits ISIS

Following the defeat suffered by the ISIS gangs in Kobanê, the organisation feared throughout the Middle East has now split into several parts.

Monday, April 13, 2015 at 1:00 PM
KOBANÊ - FERHAT ARSLAN - ANF

Following the defeat suffered by the ISIS gangs in Kobanê, the organisation feared throughout the Middle East has now split into several parts.

The YPG/YPJ forces are continuing their ‘cleansing operations’ in Kobanê canton. Following the defeat of the ISIS gangs in the city even sources within ISIS admit that the organisation is disintegrating.

ISIS displaying their own dead as YPG fighters

It is reported that ISIS gangs deployed from the cities of Mosul and Rakka in Serrin, Girê Sipî (Tel Abyad) and on the Aleppo road are continuing to be hit by YPG/YPJ fighters. On the western front in Kobanê gangs have fled to the town of Jarablus and have destroyed the bridges over the Euphrates. To the east of Kobanê, YPG/YPJ fighters have taken control of hills overlooking the Girê Sipi plain, while ISIS has driven around the town dragging bodies of their own men, claiming they are YPG fighters. A local resident said of one dead man: "He is not from the YPG, he is my cousin. I recognise the tattoo.” Gang members are also said to be slipping away and taking refuge in Turkey.

Fighters warning of the danger of mines

On the southern front where there are fierce clashes, one end of the front is where the Aleppo road crosses the Euphrates and the other is the Turkish border. YPG/YPJ fighters and expert teams are removing mines laid by ISIS, but many villagers returning to their homes have been killed by bombs left in fridges or behind doors. In the town of Serrin, where ISIS has tried to incite Arab nationalism, 85 per cent of the population is said to want democracy. The YPG/YPJ wishes to take the town as soon as possible.

In Kobanê canton the YPG/YPJ fighters control a large area. Even in areas where there is intensive warfare, new recruits are given professional military training in addition to theoretical and academic education.

Here are some photographs of YPG/YPJ fighters at the front where they are engaged in protecting the peoples of the Middle East from ISIS gangs….
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HAMBURG - ALİ GÜLER - ANF

Prof. David Harvey called for worldwide support for the alternative system to capitalism being established in Rojava.

Professor David Harvey, who was a speaker at the “Challenging Capitalist Modernity” conference in Hamburg between 3 and 5 April, said the system being set up in Rojava was an alternative to the crisis created all over the world by capitalist modernity, and should be supported and developed. Prof. Harvey said he would like to visit Rojava to see the system for himself and linked the ISIS attacks to the capitalist system’s wish to get its hands on oil and other mineral wealth in the region. Prof. Harvey said he found Abdullah Öcalan’s ideas on capitalist modernity, democratic confederalism and the women’s freedom struggle positive, adding that he had also written on these topics. “But Öcalan has not only written, he is also waging a struggle to put them into practice,” he said.

Prof. David Harvey answered questions from ANF on the crisis of capitalism, the system in Rojava and the ideas of Abdullah Öcalan.

‘I want to go to Rojava’

In your presentation at the conference you said you had come to learn. What did you want to learn?

I had a general knowledge of the debate and ongoing discussion. But after coming to the conference I learned more, as I realised that a struggle is being waged to create an alternative, anti-capitalist system. I saw that the Kurds are not only advocating this in theory, but are putting this into practice in Kurdistan. They are engaged in a struggle to implement democratic confederalism, which is very encouraging. I had heard of Abdullah Öcalan’s ideas from others, but here I had the opportunity to hear his views and critique of capitalism. I also spoke to people from Rojava and learned about the system there.

What did you hear about Rojava?

Efforts are being made to establish an anti-capitalist system based on self-reliance. It involves the setting up of communes, collectives and cooperatives. Important steps have also been taken in education. I would like to go to Rojava to see things for myself.

'Öcalan’s books should be translated into English’

How did you find the ideas of Kurdish activists regarding capitalism and Marxism?

I found their evaluations realistic, as they are coming from a revolution and have all suffered pain. I must say I was affected.

How do you assess Abdullah Öcalan’s ideas regarding capitalism?

Capitalism captivates people and takes them over. Critiquing is not enough, it is necessary to oppose this brutal system and wage a struggle to establish an alternative system. I have read many articles by Öcalan and his critique is appropriate. But I’ve not been able to read his books as they are not available in English. They need to be translated into English and other languages. I would like to meet this man who has such a mass following.

In various places in the world, first and foremost in Rojava and with the Zapatistas, alternative systems are being established. How should those on the left and those seeking an alternative support these initiatives?

The situation of the Zapatistas and particularly that of Rojava is difficult. It would be hard to establish an independent system in Syria, therefore setting up an autonomous system is the best way to develop an alternative to capitalism.

‘Rojava should be a symbol of alternative life’

Kobanê has become a worldwide symbol of struggle against ISIS. Can Rojava play the same role in the future as an alternative life?

The people of Rojava have decided to set up a system of democratic confederalism and are engaged in trying to realise this. People like us should go there and take ownership of this. Another aspect of this is the continuing ban on the PKK, which must be lifted. If the PKK is removed from the list of banned organisations it will be much easier to establish an alternative life in Rojava and in the region.

If we look at the world from a Marxist perspective what kind of interpretation should we reach?

If we are to look at a perspective of the PKK we can say that the PKK is the result of Marxist and Leninist thinking. It is a movement that developed itself in this way. Many Marxist-Leninist movements in the world misunderstand Marxism. The PKK’s views should be explained to these movements.

‘Öcalan waging a struggle for women’s freedom’

How did you find the level of the “Challenging Capitalist Modernity” conference in Hamburg?

Many academics and political activists made presentations on capitalist modernity and the crisis of humanity at the 3-day conference in Hamburg. But the most striking aspect was the discussion on women. Abdullah Öcalan attaches great importance to women. He is waging a struggle for the freedom of all women, not just Kurdish women. He is trying to find a solution for all humanity by implementing systems of ecological and democratic confederalism. I have also written articles on these topics, but Abdullah Öcalan is not merely writing about them, he is waging a struggle for their implementation. I am happy about this and want to read his books and meet him.

[John Dolva]

KOBANÊ - ANF

YPG Press Centre reported that the areas of Bocak, Xirab Hişk and Derfilît in Kobanê town of West Kurdistan, Rojava, have been liberated from ISIS gangs.

Recalling that the Kobanê resistance against the occupation attempt of ISIS gangs continued on the 210th day, YPG Press Centre reported that the operation launched by YPG/YPJ (People's/Women's Defense Units) in southeast Kobanê was going on since April 8.

According to the statement, gang groups have been inflicted severe blows in an offensive launched by YPG/YPJ yesterday morning. Defense Units have ended the ISIS occupation in Bocak and Xirab Hişk -both of which involve two villages- and Derfilît, the strategic Çelebi cement plant and 2 quarries.

The village of Gocekmetê which has also been liberated in the operation continues facing attacks by the ISIS gangs that attempted a suicide attack with a bomb-laden vehicle near the village yesterday, but were immediately responded by YPG fighters who blew the vehicle up with militants inside.

Six members of the gangs groups were killed in the last 24 hours of the operation, while their bodies, arms and munitions were also seized.

[John Dolva]

SINJAR - BAHOZ AHMED - ANF

The KDP’s policies towards the Yazidis are attracting mounting criticism. TEVDA executive Munzur Dersim called on the KDP government and institutions affiliated to it to abandon these policies.

Criticisms of the KDP’s policies towards the people of Yazidi people of Sinjar are increasing. Following the attacks by ISIS gangs on Sinjar on 3 August 2014 the KDP failed to defend the people, leading to the slaughter and abduction of thousands of people. TEVDA executive Munzur Dersim said that since 2003 the KDP government had been in control of Sinjar and during that time had not made preparations to defend the people. “As a result they failed to defend the people and they themselves became accomplices in the slaughter,” he said.

Dersim said the KDP were openly hostile to the popular assemblies and schools set up by the Yazidi people in Sinjar. “They refuse to recognise the Sinjar assembly, and arrest young people who join the ranks of the YBŞ and YPJ-Sinjar. Now they have said they do not recognise the schools that have been set up to teach Yazidi children their history and faith. Such policies demonstrate that the KDP does not recognise the will of the Yazidi people,” he underlined.

‘Our people should not be deceived by the KDP’

Dersim said that since the massacre of last year the KDP had both attacked the Yazidi people and tried to buy their support. “They have given some people guns, ammunition, tents and provisions in order to soften their reactions to the KDP’s role in the massacre. They have gained some support in this way. However, our people should oppose these policies and support the Yazidi Assembly that represents the will of the people. They should also lend their support to the schools. In such a way we can prevent such massacres recurring,” he added.

[John Dolva]

KOBANÊ - ANF

16 members of ISIS gangs were killed in the fighting between YPG/YPJ (People's/Women's Defense Units) in Kobanê and Cizîre cantons of West Kurdistan, Rojava.

YPG Press Centre said that the Kobanê resistance against the occupation attempt of ISIS gangs continued on the 219th day.

The statement said that heavy clashes broke out between Defense Units and ISIS gangs in and around the village of Dîkanê south of Kobanê yesterday. 10 members of the gangs were killed in the fighting that started in the afternoon and lasted till late night.

One fighter of the Defense Units has fallen fighting the gang groups, YPG said.

2 other gang members were killed in an attack on Sirîn road in which YPG/YPJ targeted a convoy of the gangs last night, destroying a military vehicle and a motorcycle.

Again on the southern front, gang groups launched an attack on the village of Metrês early this morning. The gang groups were forced to flee the battle field following fierce clashes that erupted upon a strong response by YPG/YPJ and left 3 gang members dead.

The statement reported that clashes on the western boundaries of the Cizîrê Canton continued.

One member of the gang groups were killed in a clash in Til Hefyan village of Til Temir last night, YPG added.

[John Dolva]

BERN - SERKAN DEMİREL - ANF

Swiss Socialist Party (SP) MP Beat Jeans said the PKK was a freedom movement, adding that the Kurds in Rojava are waging a struggle to protect human values. “The Rojava system is the only alternative model for the future of the peoples of the Middle East,” he said. Jeans also called for support for the HDP in the 7 June elections.

SP Federal deputy Beat Jeans spoke to the ANF regarding the struggle of the YPG and YPJ in Rojava against ISIS gangs and other topics.

‘Only the Kurds are fighting for the future of the peoples of the Middle East’

Jeans emphasised that only the Kurdish YPG and YPJ were fighting ISIS in the chaos of the Middle East, adding: “The Kurds will bring democracy to the Middle East. Everyone should appreciate the great struggle the Kurds are waging against ISIS.”

Jeans continued: “The struggle waged in Kobanê was not just for the future of the Kurds. This resistance was also a great struggle for humanity, which triumphed.” Jeans said the victory won in Kobanê had boosted the morale of humanity.

Jeans said the Kurds should be supported in their exemplary struggle against ISIS, the enemies of humanity.

‘The PKK is a freedom movement’

Jeans said he considered the PKK to be a freedom movement, and that it was wrong for certain states to still have the organisation on their list of terrorist organisations. Jeans recalled the struggle he had waged to ensure the PKK was not listed in Switzerland, adding: “While I do not support everything the PKK does, I see them as freedom fighters.”

TIL TEMIR - ANF

As part of the operation of YPG/YPJ (People's/Women's Defense Units) in Til Temir, all the attacks the ISIS gangs launched to retake the liberated areas, have been repelled. 34 members of the gang groups have been killed in the clashes of the last 48 hours, according to what has been verified.

YPG Press Centre recalled that the Kobanê resistance continued on the 223rd day, stating that the operation launched by Defense Units following the attacks of ISIS gangs in southwest Kobanê, has been completed. After the gangs were pushed out of the Til Ebrê village into which the had infiltrated, YPG/YPJ achieved control over the entire area.

The statement said that YPG/YPJ fighters carried out an attack targeting the gang groups between the villages of Eydanê and Cindê to the east of Kobanê last night, leaving 3 members of the gangs dead and seizing a large quantity of ammunition belonging to them.

YPG reported that the operation of Defense Units in the strategic area of stone pits 17 km west of Kobanê was going on, adding; "In yesterday's statement, we reported that the gangs launched two attacks overnight in a desperate attempt to retake the two hills YPG/YPJ took control of, in addition to 3 different attacks that were tried April 25, using armored vehicles and heavy weaponry. Following this statement, gangs carried out 6 more attacks."

All the attacks of the gangs were repelled as ISIS groups were responded by YPG/YPJ forces with strong resistance and inflicted a severe blow. 7 more gang members were killed in clashes that erupted yesterday afternoon and continued ceaselessly till early this morning, raising the number of gang members killed in the fighting of the last two days to 34. Clashes that continued all night long heavy weaponry and armored vehicles, are going on interruptedly, YPG said.

Bodies of 16 gang members, a panzer as well as a number of military equipment and ammunition were also seized by YPG/YPJ.

10:14

April 24 / 2015

Newroz Dijwar/JINHA

SULAYMANIYAH – In spite of laws that protect workers' rights in the Federal Kurdistan Region [northern Iraq], women workers struggle with inequality and violence in the workplace, according to Leyla Kerim Mixemed, of the executive board of the umbrella Workers' Union in the region.

According to the Workers' Union's 2014 survey, there are 5,180 women workers in the Southern Kurdish province of Sulaymaniyah, but only 384 of them are union members. Leyla says many women in the region are not aware that they have the right to a union.

"Women have a lot of problems," said Leyla. "They don't get paid the same as men, they work long hours and in some places, they are exposed to verbal and physical violence. But these women's don't go and tell a union about their problems." Leyla explained that it's impossible to know the amount of women facing issues like workplace harassment because of the deep environment of fear for women workers, who fear losing their jobs. Legally, workplaces are required to post notices informing women of their union rights, but laws like this are frequently ignored.

A 1987 labor law in the Federal Kurdistan Region guaranteed women workers maternity benefits, the right to equal pay and other rights, said Leyla, but it has never been implemented.

Leyla also says that the unions themselves (there are seven region-wide unions) have women's committees, but that without women taking part in the union struggle, it was hard for women to have autonomous organizing in their own unions.

The Workers' Union is planning a range of "know your rights" seminars for women in the region.

(mg/cm)

[John Dolva]

Bêrîtan Elyakut/JINHA

KOBANÊ – Hawar News Agency reporter Nazdar Abdi, who worked in Kobanê, throughout the war, spoke about her commitment to reporting on the resistance in the city no matter the cost. “The education I’ve gotten here is ten times more valuable than any university,” said Nazdar of her experience as a reporter.

Nazdar had just started working as a journalist when the attacks started. She got her first taste of the profession as a war reporter.

“When the attacks escalated, people were starting to be forced to leave the city. At the time, I had to choose between going and staying—fast. Of course, no one blamed those who left; it was a hard day. But at that moment, I noticed a YPJ woman resisting Daesh’s heavy armaments with just a Kalashnikov. That was the moment I decided to stay,” said Nazdar. She says the image of the fleeing city residents turning back to look at their home for the last time will always remain in her mind’s eye.

Nazdar said one of the most important battles she reported on was the Serzorê resistance, where 12 YPG and YPJ fighters resisted Daesh gangs. The 12 fighters, hearing over the wireless that they were surrounded by Daesh gang members on all sides, criticized their comrades on the other end of the radio, saying “there’s much more we must do fort his people” before they went to their death.

“No one who knows the story of this epic can leave this place easily,” said Nazdar.

In addition to the difficulty of being an inexperienced reporter, Nazdar said technical difficulties made the work even harder. The reporters would struggle to get the generator working all night trying to send photographs and updates from the front. The reporters also had no permanent place to stay in the city, which quickly became a total war zone.

“Those kinds of conditions force you to look for alternatives,” Nazdar said. She noted that “anyone who wants to fully understand what it means to be journalist” should work as a war reporter. “It forces you to be twice as curious,” she said.

(zd/fk/cm)

[John Dolva]

Media and the Mesopotamian War--from Kurdish Question, by Salvador Zana

© Juan Osborne

24 April 2015

by Salvador Zana*

It has been claimed several times that the war going on now in the Middle East is the first internet war. In fact a whole lot of claims have been made about this war without most people being sure about what this war actually is. Some say it started with the Syrian opposition taking up arms, others see its roots in the rise of Daesh (ISIS) in Iraq and yet others say it is one battlefield of a larger international conflict along lines such as East and West, Islam and Modernity, Freedom and Terrorism.

I am nowhere knowledgeable enough to try disentangling all the conflicting sides, motifs, interests and outlooks and will therefore refer to it as the Mesopotamian War, meaning the multitude of the ongoing conflicts in that region, involving the forces of Rojava's TEV-DEM (Democratic Society Movement) coalition and of the PKK, KDP and PUK, Daesh and Assad and Turkey and many other factions, governments and militias. The analyses of the situation always differ with the perspective of the viewer. It is impossible to talk about the fight of the Kurds in Başûr and Rojava without taking into account the armed struggle in Turkey, just as it is impossible understanding the rise of Daesh without the background of their various international supporters and allies. There simply is not one evil mastermind behind this, one cigarette-smoking man pulling all the strings. The only simplifying thing I can say about all this is that it is not a war of humans aganinst humans, but a war of ideas. The real battles are taking place not at the frontline but on both sides of it, in the minds of people. If we knew how to destroy the fascist ideology in our enemies' heads, the war would be over tomorrow. If we had been wiser, more hopeful, more passionate in the past, we might have been able to turn into revolutionary awareness the anger and frustration that drives so many people into the arms of Fascism every day. Someone who I believe to be an enemy might not be one after all. He might wear my enemies' uniform, believe my enemies' propaganda and point a gun at me for my enemies. But as soon as he stops doing that, what more is he than another human?

It is an aspect of the war over people's minds that by the means of modern media has become more influential than ever. You do not need a conscription army if you can convince people to fight for your cause. And you do not need an army at all if you can convince people of what the real problem is. Assad, Daesh and every other force put huge efforts into making sure that their ideology, their version of the story is prevalent and unchallenged within as many people as possible.

Concerning this issue our movement faces huge problems. When YPG finally liberated Kobanê in January the international media largely reported that it was Pêşmerga who had driven Daesh out of the city. While the atrocities committed in the name of the “Caliphate” continue to attract considerable interest, disgust and sometimes awe all around the world the cause of their most courageous and successful adversaries remain unknown. One might get the impression that it is just western warplanes that stop Daesh from marching against the capitals of the Middle East. The YPJ has been in the focus of several media reports, but mostly not as a revolutionary fighting force but as a mere curiosity – girls with guns, how exotic.

If YPG and YPJ have been covered insufficiently, then the revolution itself has not been covered at all. Even people who actively try to find out about it usually fail to get an impression of what this revolution is, how it feels and what difference it makes. What is actually going on in Rojavan society? I am not exempting myself, my comrades or anyone doing media work in Kurdistan when I criticize this situation. There is obviously a large deficite when it comes to communicating our cause to the outside world. We are either mis- or not at all represented in corporate as well as in social media. While the propaganda of our fascist foes attracts scores of eager young men the message of Rojava's heroes gets lost in overly long, unedited and untranslated youtube videos. While the world cries out at the massacre of Şengal and the wrecking of Hatra it remains oblivious of the peoples that have risen up just miles away from these places to create a new and free society.

You may wonder why I am saying all this and at the same time sitting in a dingy room in a YPG base without internet, instead of making sure that the world learns about our fight every day. The thing is, I believe that there are thousands of people out there who can do a much better job than me. Anybody with basic video-editing skills can take use the YPG material on Youtube and make great videos from it. Anybody with a blog and an audience can come here and tell what's really going on. A week ago I was talking to a YPG general in Dêrik who was enthusiastic about the idea of graffiti artists coming and painting the city. There is an infinite number of ways to help – everybody needs to figure out for her- or himself what he or she can do.

If this is the first internet war then we definitely need to step up our presence. In the end, the internet remains one of the most important tools for mass communication, and indispensable for revolutionaries. We have long passed the time when information could be controlled by governments and corporations. And nonetheless the coverage of the Rojavan cause by international media is being stripped to the utmost of any true meaning, many a times labeling it a “fight of the Kurds”.

This is not just a fight of the Kurds. It is a fight of the Arabs and Ezidis, of Armenians and Assyrians. It is a fight of women and a fight of the youth. It is a fight of Christians and Muslims. It is the fight of Arîn and Xabat, of Ché and Rosa, of Thomas Sankara and Tupa Katari and all the other revolutionaries who have fallen trying to end the suffering of the world. It is the fight of all those oppressed. It is the fight for freedom and everybody has a place in it. You too.

*Salvador Zana is an internationalist revolutionary with roots in Europe and Africa. He is currently with YPG in Cizîre canton of Rojava.

[John Dolva]

People who have been following this thread will understand that there is a socialist revolution happening in central asia today. At the moment I'm looking for signs that the enemy of the people, the usa and its allies, are laying the grounds for a counter revolution. It seems that a split in an otherwise united kurdistan may be happening between the government of the southern autonomous region in iraq and the kurdish popel of all of kurdistan. The people of the SAR and the rest of kurdistan support the PKK, the us backed govrnement of the SAR does not. In fact it seems to work more and more aggressively against the people.

KDP deports doctor who treated YPG members

Dr. Cemal Cembeli, a doctor from Rojava who worked in a hospital in Zakho for 2 years, was deported from South Kurdistan 3 days ago for treating members of the YPG.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 11:30 AM

ZAKHO - ANF

Dr. Cemal Cembeli, a doctor from Rojava who worked in a hospital in Zakho for 2 years, was deported from South Kurdistan 3 days ago for treating members of the YPG. Cembelli said: “I have not asked anyone for an ID before treating them. I didn’t discriminate between peshmerga and YPG members.”

According to local sources, the KDP Asayish (police) had previously threatened Dr. Cembell several times. However, Dr. Cembelli had continued to treat YPG fighters despite these threats. The Zakho Asayish linked to the KDP deported Dr. Cembelli 3 days ago.

He worked in several hospitals in Zakho

Dr Cembelli was the PYD’s representative in Saudi Arabia for 2 years 9 months from 13 October 2010, then on 15 August 2013 he went to Zakho and began to work in the Bêdarê û Şebaniyê hospital as a surgeon.

Dr Cembelli also went to Rojava from time to time and treated both YPG fighters and pesmerga fighters. He said he had been subjected to inquiries by KDP officials, who had accused him of working for the PYD and PKK. Dr. Cembelli said no charges had been laid against him, adding that KDP officials had told him they would have sentenced him to 20 years in prison if they had had evidence.

Dr. Cembelli was taken to the Sêmelka border crossing on 2 May and deported to Rojava.

‘I treated both YPG fighters and peshmerga’

Dr. Cemal Cembelli added that he had not asked anyone for an ID before treating them and had not discriminated between peshmerga and YPG members. “Apart from my work in the hospital I occasionally visited some organisations. I also sometimes went to Kandil, and would be subjected to an investigation on my return,” he said.

Edited May 6, 2015 by John Dolva

[John Dolva]

NEWS DESK - ANF

The international highway between Cizire and Aleppo has been taken under control by YPG/YPJ forces following fierce clashes between ISIS gangs and the resistance forces in the area around the highway 35 km west of Til Temir.

The clashes continued until the late hours, with 3 points having been liberated from the gangs and the highway taken under control by the YPG/YPJ forces, while the exact outcome of the clashes is yet to be obtained

In the meantime, the clashes, which started yesterday in the village of Salihiye to the west of Haseke, are reportedly continuing, while no exact information about the clashes has been received.

In Um Al-Shak village in the Hol district of Haseke, ISIS gangs attempted to launch an attack on YPG/YPJ emplacements. Clashes broke out following the strong response of the YPG/YPJ forces. It has been reported that many gang members were killed in the clashes, while the corpses of 6 were seized by the YPG/YPJ forces.

[John Dolva]

Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 4:30 PM

NEWS DESK - ANF

YPG Press Centre said in a written statement that a military campaign to eliminate ISIS threats and to liberate the rural district of Canton Cizîrê, Rojava, abundantly continues on its 8th day.

Military operations on the western border line of Cizîrê continued during day and night on May 13 near Alya area where the ISIS-occupied villages of Nufeliyê, Til Lebn and Megrîn Beggara as well as small villages Ehmedê Mele and Ebdulazîzê Cafer were effectively cleansed from gang groups; finishing mop-up operations are currently taking place in these locations.

Following this major campaign, -the statement said-members of the People’s Defense Units (YPG) and the Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) are similarly enduring their operations in the west of Hesekê city. On May 13, throughout the day, heavy and direct clashes between YPG/YPJ troops and ISIS elements have been experienced in and around the village of Rezaza, 13 kilometers western Hesekê – according to what has been confirmed, 37 terrorist fighters were killed on this front.

In the evening hours of the same day, ISIS forces attempted to carry out an attack on Mişêrfa village deploying an explosive-laden truck. With a quick intervention by Defense Units, the SVBIED was targeted and destroyed before reaching its target; 2 ISIS affiliates inside the vehicle were confirmed killed.

YPG Press Centre remarked that the heroic, persistent resistance to the occupation attempts of ISIS gangs around the city of Kobanê continued yesterday on the 241st day.

An assault operation – Remembering Martyr Medya Helinc – was conducted in the evening of May 13 in east Kobanê where Zerê and Gundik villages were fully cleansed from ISIS groups. While ISIS casualties there are yet to be confirmed, one PK machine gun, 300 PK bullets and 2 pairs of night-time scopes of the gang groups were seized, YPG added.

[John Dolva]

Intensive ambush attacks from the Turkish army

In their latest press release, HPG Press Center reported six cases of provocative ambush attacks carried out by the Turkish army across Northern Kurdistan.

Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 4:00 PM
BEHDINAN - ANF

In their latest press release, HPG Press Center reported six cases of provocative ambush attacks carried out by the Turkish army across Northern Kurdistan.

HPG said that between 9 am and 3 pm on May 15, the Turkish army carried out preparations for the construction of a military guard post within the areal triangle of Bêrox, Serêkanî and Mamreş, bordering the Avaşin area of Medya Defense areas.

The statement by HPG reported that the Turkish army also undertook scouting missions with drones in Şukê and Mamreşo areas between 3 pm and 4pm, and in Şehit (Martyr) Deniz between 9 am and 12 pm on May 15. Similar missions were implemented in the Zap region between 11 pm on May 15 and 4:30 am on May 16.

The Turkish army -the statement said- continues its ambushes near the dam construction in the Şehit Baran part of Farqin, Amed. Intensive Skorsky helicopter activity was detected between 8 am and 3pm on May 15, and scouting missions with drones took place between 4 am and 8 am in Şehit Baran.

Between 9 pm and 11 pm on May 15, armed vehicles of the Turkish army patrolled in the Teyler and Tatan villages of Varto, Muş. Several ambush attacks took place between 11 pm last night and morning hours today.

According to the HPG statement, Turkish army began an operation at 2pm on May 15 in the Has village of Xınıs, Erzurum. The operation was unsuccessful and ended in retreat, but the army has continued its attacks in the Hamiset village o Xınıs.

Finally on May 15, -HPG added- Turkish troops carried out ambush attacks near the Mezrê village of Tatvan, Bitlis.

[John Dolva]

Dîdem Elî/JINHA

SERÊKANIYÊ – YPJ Commander Aryan Cûdî says that as YPJ/YPG fighters continue securing villages around the Rojava city of Serêkaniyê from Daesh gangs, village women are joining the ranks of the YPJ.

"We started this operation at the request of the people," explained Aryan Cûdî. She noted that the villages are home to both Kurdish and Arab villagers suffering from Daesh attacks, which led to a call from local people for the YPG/YPJ forces to start an operation. "The Daesh gangs are executing really fascistic attacks on our people," said Aryan.

The commander said that the people living in Daesh-occupied areas deal with the constraint of their public spaces and the inability to continue their livelihoods due to Daesh oppression. The operation is ongoing in the city and the surrounding region of Cizîrê Canton. Aryan said that as the operation continues, they have seen an increasing number of local women joining the YPJ as their villages are liberated.

"The YPJ, by leading the revolution, is playing an important role," she said.

(mg/cm)

[John Dolva]

Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 2:00 PM
TIL TEMIR/HESEKÊ - ANF

In the midday hours of May 20, members of the People's Defense Units (YPG) along with the Women's Defense Units (YPJ) managed to completely liberate Mt. Abd al-Aziz (Kizwanan) from ISIS gangs yesterday.

ANF has obtained footage from the mountain where YPG/YPJ fighters planted their flag on the summit after achieving another historical victory through a resolute operation against the ISIS that lasted for 14 consecutive days in Heseke countryside, Cizire Region, Rojava.

[John Dolva]

NEWS DESK - ANF

YPG Press Office has said in a written statement that the Commander Rubar Qamishlo Operation, launched in the western side of Cizîre canton of Rojava to liberate the villages in that region, is successfully continuing in its 17th day. YPG reported that the villages of Wedahiyê, Xircir and Tuwecil have been cleansed of ISIS gangs in the scope of the operation in the last 24 hours.

YPG said a new operation has been launched in an area 29 km south west of Serêkaniyê, and that in the scope of this operation three villages have been liberated and 2 tanks and 3 military vehicles of the gangs were destroyed while 10 gang members were killed.

YPG said search and cleaning facilities continue in the area between Mount Kizwan and Til Temir and Hasekê, while another operation was carried out yesterday night against the gang members who hid themselves in the surrounding villages after failing to flee the area because of the siege by Defense Units.

YPG reported that the operation targeted the village of Mexlucan in the foothills of Mount Kizwan and 23 km to the south of Til Temir, as well as the village of Rojhilat 11 km to the south of Til Temir. According to the statement, 3 gang members were seized death with their arms while 4 others were captured alive in the operations.

YPG further stated the YPG/YPJ forces are also clearing the mines laid by the ISIS gangs, adding that hundreds of mines were cleaned in the area so far while 1 YPG fighter has fallen during the clean-up operation after stepping on a mine.