John Dolva Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Tuesday, October 28, 2014 Miners trapped in in a coal mine near the Pamuklu village---Soma miners are attacked by police, begin march to Ankara We apologize to our readers for not posting earlier today. Our attention has been taken by the situation of the miners trapped in the coal mine near Pamuklu village in the Ermenek district of Karaman, the police attack on the Soma mine workers, the police attack on the Validebağ grove protest and the news surrounding the anti-ISIS struggles and Rojava. Numbers differ somewhat, but we understand that 20 mine workers in a coal mine near the Pamuklu village in the Ermenek district of Karaman may still be trapped after the mine collapsed in a flood. Perhaps 540 mine workers were in the mine when an underground flood hit one section of the mine. The common explanation being given for the flooding at this point is subsidence. The mine only recently reopened after having been closed due to complaints by on-site contractors. The number of workers trapped being given is between 18 and 26, but we now think the most likely number is 20. The immediate fear is that the workers may have drowned in the mine. One pump was put into operation early on but this was not sufficient and another pump had to be assembled. The November 22, 2003 methane gas explosion in a mine located in Karaman is still remembered; 10 mine workers were killed in that explosion. Meanwhile, dozens of mine workers from Soma began a march to Ankara today to protest the fact that they have not been paid their wages. The workers are employed at the Eynez and Atabacı mines. A workplace massacre at the Eynez mine took the lives of 301 workers last May. The workers on the march are saying that the authorities have not kept the promises they made following that tragedy. The May workplace massacre and worker resistance since then forced the closing of mines operated by the Soma mine owners while an investigation was being carried out. Some government and corporate officials have argued that the mines should be operational now or could restart production before the end of the year. Mine workers may differ on the issue of closures, but there is general agreement that they should be paid while losing work through no fault of their own. Mine workers employed by the Soma Coal Mining Company have not received their wages since the May tragedy, despite guarantees from the company and the government that they would be paid while the mine was closed. Mine workers from the Eynez and Atabacı mines have been protesting for two days around the issues of their unpaid wages and demanding that the government reopen the mines. Today’s march sought to follow the example of the 1990 historic miners’ march to Ankara by miners from Zonguldak. The march initially drew about 250 mine workers. “We want our job; we want our bread. If this company is not able to work from now on, then we ask the state to do it,” said Cafer Bülbül from the Maden-İş union. The Maden-İş union is not always well-regarded by mine workers and other unions and it is not the only union representing Soma mine workers. Police attacked the protesting mine workers yesterday after they gathered at Cengiz Topel Street and began chanting slogans and marching towards the Miner’s Memorial. Three mine workers were hurt in the brutal police attack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Female Kurdish fighter known as ‘Rehana’ (Image from Twitter user / @PawanDurani) Trends Islamic State, Islamic State in Iraq and SyriaTags Conflict, Middle East, Syria, Terrorism, War Reports about the beheading of a young female Kurdish warrior known as ‘Rehana’ who fought for Kobani and reportedly killed scores of jihadists have sparked controversy. Other reports by people who claim to have contacted her say she is alive. A young girl, wearing military gear and holding a gun, has become an Internet sensation after a picture of her showing a victory salute went viral. @NYDailyNews: "The sharp shooter #YPG worrier #Rehana " pic.twitter.com/f7cZT1LXM0 — Siyar (@yabanciyork) October 28, 2014 The photo was posted on Twitter by Kurdish journalist Pawan Durani with a caption reading: “Rehana has killed more than 100 ISIS terrorists in Kobani".On October 26, Rehana’s supporters were shocked by “unconfirmed” reports claiming that she had been kidnapped or executed by Islamic State jihadists, who may have beheaded her. #Breaking: #ISIS claims to have beheaded young #Kurdish#heroine known as #Rehana. — PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) October 28, 2014 Jihadists have claimed, according to the Mirror, that a photo of a rebel holding a woman’s severed head is evidence that "Rehana" is dead.However, Kurdish journalist @Rashad Abdel Qader claimed on Twitter that Rehana was very much alive. Spoke to #Rehana she's sound & safe. #dailymail's is not true, she didn't kill 100 #ISIS but fighting fiecely #Kobanepic.twitter.com/gacYI8MOGR — Rashad abdelQader (@RashadAbdlQader) October 27, 2014 The MailOnline has also reported that Rehana is indeed alive, according to her friends.“She is my friend and I confirm that she is alive. And the picture of beheaded female fighter is not Rehana's picture,” the newspaper cited a Kobani-based journalist, who also added that saw Rehana leaving Kobani last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Items from Rojava's revolution * The Martyr Şîlan Academy in Serêkaniyê held a commemoration ceremony for the revolutionary Bêrîtan today. Bêrîtan has become a symbol of the resistance in Kurdistan and is particularly important to Rojava’s women fighters. The academy also trained 15 female fighters who joined the YPJ (Women's Defense Units) today. The women developed military skills and took courses on history, politics and ideology during their training program. Jin Sozda, a YPJ commander, made a speech during the ceremony recalling the heroic personality of Bêrîtan. * Agriculture cooperatives are being established in Rojava’s Cizîre Canton. Twenty-five cooperatives have been established and one of them, the Star Cooperative, belongs to women. In Tirbespiyê 700 people have joined the cooperatives. The coordinating body aims to organize agriculture in a communal way free from the Baathist Regime's policies. With these cooperatives will come a shared life of the peoples in the region based on communal solidarity. * The YPG (Rojava’s People's Protection Units] fighters have carried out a successful action against ISIS gangs operating between the villages of Shêran and Kabacox to the east of Kobanê. An ISIS vehicle carrying 9 ISIS fighters was destroyed by YPG fighters who also targeted another vehicle that arrived at the scene to help soon after the incident. The 5 ISIS gang members in the second vehicle were also killed. Fourteen ISIS fighters were killed in the action by YPG forces. Posted by Urun Harvest at 9:38 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Turkish state repression and the fight back today The Turkish state seems always ready to take repressive action against peoples’ movements. The people resist, of course, and this resistance cuts across artificial borders. Today we have the following to report and comment on. * Police attacked protesters at Istanbul’s Validebağ grove today with tear gas and paintball pellets loaded with gas. The demonstrators have been camping next to the grove in order to halt the entry of a truck carrying an electric generator to the construction site and to protest the destruction of a vital piece of Istanbul’s green space. Riot police today blocked entry to the construction site with water cannon vehicles and used tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators who bravely refused to abandon their positions. Police also brutally attacked the environmentalists and local people protesting the development of the area. The tear gas affected a nearby school and many people who live near the grove and who are not involved in the on-going protests. We have given this protest much coverage on this blog. We can only repeat that an administrative court decision had ordered a temporary halt to the construction next to the Validebağ grove, that the grove has a protected status, that 80,000 people have signed petitions against the construction project and that the ruling reactionary Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) mayor of Üsküdar has rejected the court decision and said that the parcel of land was legally acquired by the local municipality. Other AKP leaders, including Turkey’s president, have tried to paint the protesters as being opposed to the development project because a mosque is being built there. The historic grove has a special and protected status and is one of the last green spaces in Istanbul. The construction of a mosque there may well be a cynical move by authorities to remove the grove’s historic status and may this may be moved forward through the special relationships which exist between the governing reactionary party and the construction industry. A statement from the protesters condemned the officials who provoked the confrontation. * A cemetery has been constructed to commemorate Martyr Baran and Martyr Besê, two guerrillas of the ARGK and HPG (the liberation movement’s People's Liberation Army of Kurdistan and the People's Defense Force) who lost their lives in the Pülümür district of Dersim. The cemetery holds the remains of 104 guerrillas, including 99 Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)/People's Defense Force (HPG) members and 5 Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist (TİKKO/TKP-ML) members, as well as members of some tribes killed in the Dersim genocide in 1938. All are buried and honored together in the martyrs' cemetery which was finally be opened yesterday following two days of interference by state security forces. Families of the fallen guerrillas buried here and party members participated the opening of the cemetery. Following the reading out of the names of the 104 guerrillas buried in the cemetery, families left carnations on the graves of their beloved ones. * Hundreds of people from the Amazigh community in the Moroccan capital of Rabat demonstrated yesterday in support of the Kobanê resistance against ISIS gangs. The demonstration took place in front of the Turkish embassy in Rabat and expressed solidarity with Kobanê. Revolutionary Kobanê has been under continuous attack by ISIS gangs for 43 days. The solidarity demonstration united behind the slogans "Stop the silence and support Kobanê!" and "We demand the Kingdom of Morocco to expel Turkish ambassador!" The people also carried the flags of Rojava’s People’s Defense Forces (YPG) and the Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM). * The 1st Administrative Court in Amed/(Diyarbakır has ruled that the popular co-mayoral system in the Metropolitan Municipality of Amed does not comply with Turkish law. This system is a guarantee of women’s political power and an intrinsic part of the progressive, democratic and revolutionary movements in North Kurdistan and Turkey. * A delegation of Austrian deputies arrived in the Suruç district of Urfa today in solidarity with the Kurdish people and the displaced citizens of Kobanê who have had to flee the on-going attacks by ISIS gangs. The delegation consists of the Austrian ambassador to Ankara, Kurt Radner, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) leader Andres Schieder, Green Party MP Berivan Aslan, People's Party MP Elizabeth Pfurtscheller and Kurdology Specialist Niki Kuntrath. They came to Suruç in solidarity with the Kurdish people facing attacks by the inhumane ISIS gangs. The delegation was welcomed by DBP (Party of Democratic Regions) and DTK (Democratic Society Congress) deputies and leaders. They visited the DBP Suruç office and met with Kobanê People's Assembly Co-President Ayşe Efendî and canton administrators. The delegation vowed to provide assistance to the people of Kobanê and those forced to migrate to the North Kurdistan side of the border. The delegation also visited the popular resistance vigil held in solidarity with the Kobanê resistance. Posted by Urun Harvest at 9:15 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest News from the common-front struggle against ISIS in and around Rojava We have the following news to report this evening from the common-front struggle against ISIS in and around revolutionary Rojava. * The heroic forces of Rojava’s YPG (People's Protection Units) have released a statement on the 43rd day of Kobanê’s resistance against ISIS attacks. The ISIS gangs are now launching missile and mortar attacks on Kobanê’s town center after failing to advance further in face of the resistance of the YPG/YPJ fighters and the FSA-affiliated Burkan Al Fırat forces. The YPG Press Center reported that fierce and on-going clashes are taking place between YPG/YPJ (People’s/Women’s Defense Forces) forces and ISIS gangs on the eastern front of the battle. Fighting has intensified in the Kaniya Kurda neighborhood, the municipality area and on Azadi (Freedom) Square. At least 18 ISIS fighters were killed in the Kaniya Kurda region and 9 were killed at Azadi Square as ISIS gangs were hit with heavy blows by YPG/YPJ forces in the fighting at this front. The YPG Press Center noted that their forces foiled a car-bomb attack by ISIS gangs in the municipality area early this morning. YPG forces also seized large quantities of ammunition belonging to the ISIS gangs as clashes in the area continued. Clashes on the southern front have also been on-going. Seven ISIS gang members were killed and an ISIS vehicle equipped with heavy weapons was destroyed there. Four ISIS fighters were killed and one was wounded in an action by YPG forces that targeted ISIS forces near the village of Zinka to the west of Serêkaniyê and the border yesterday morning. Four heroic YPG fighters have fallen fighting in the last 24 hours of violent clashes. * YPG fighters have carried out a successful action against the ISIS gangs between the villages of Shêran and Kabacox to the east of Kobanê. An ISIS vehicle with 9 ISIS fighters inside was destroyed by YPG fighters who also targeted another vehicle that arrived at the scene to help soon after the incident. The 5 ISIS gang members in the second car were also killed. A total of 14 ISIS fighter were killed in the action by YPG forces. * We have written much on this blog about the position taken by the Iranian government in the present situation. Today the Iranian government accused Turkey of prolonging the three-year-long conflict in Syria by insisting on President Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow and supporting terrorist groups there, IRNA news agency has reported. “Ankara’s interference in Syrian internal affairs has unfortunately resulted in prolonging the war and extensive deaths of innocent Syrian civilians,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency quoted a senior Foreign Ministry official as saying. “The crisis in Syria could have ended three years ago if Turkish officials stopped demanding regime change and supporting terrorist groups in Syria.” * Iran’s ambassador to Ankara, Ali Reza Bigdeli, said today that “The common enemy ISIS’s presence is an opportunity to improve our cooperation with Turkey.” He analyzed the situation and said that Iran has always been in consultation with Turkey over regional developments, but that more consultation is needed between the two countries. “As two powerful and important countries in the region, Iran and Turkey can play a determinative role in this process in the current conditions. On his way back from Afghanistan, Turkish President Erdoğan made some statements regarding the role of Turkey and Iran on the Syria issue. These statement not only include the past, but also today and tomorrow. If Iran and Turkey discharge their responsibilities in cooperation, the scene in our region would change,” Ali Reza Bigdeli said. He later added that “The truth is that this terror (ISIS) will have a negative impact over the national interests of all the countries in the region; nobody can deny this. We consider the presence of our common enemy ISIS as an opportunity to develop our relations and cooperation with Turkey.” Ali Reza Bigdeli also commented on the situation in Kobane, saying that the Iranian government was ready to send humanitarian aid to the people of Kobane through the Syrian government. “We have sent a lot of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people through the Syrian government, and we will continue to contribute this aid,” he said. These remarks may well represent an opportunistic impulse by the Iranian government to put a good face forward with the Turkish state and to argue on behalf of the Assad regime at the same time, but they must also be put in a particular context. The Iranian government was pressing the case at the same time as these remarks were made that the Turkish government is interfering in Syria’s internal affairs. The Iranian government may well be doing the same, but the charge of interference by Turkey is certainly true and the Turkish government is indeed working to prolong the conflict in Syria. The charge that the Turkish state is supporting ISIS has again been made publicly and we commend the Iranian government for making this statement. Posted by Urun Harvest at 8:26 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Turkey’s government has once more shown its indifference and opposition to the resolution process A face of the people's resistance Turkey’s government has once more shown its indifference and opposition to the resolution process underway between the Kurdish liberation movement and the state. Four Turkish RF-4E surveillance jets have flown over the Qandil Mountains region to mark targets of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), according to a statement issued by the Turkish General Staff today. Such flights are routine but constitute a kind of harassment of the liberation movement. In this case the General Staff seems to be indicating that the flights and possible planned attacks are in response to the assassination of three undercover or out-of-uniform Turkish soldiers in the Yüksekova district of the Hakkari last Saturday. Seven people have been detained by police since the shooting. The People's Defense Center [HSM] Headquarters Command has released a statement saying that their guerrillas were not involved in the killing. “Our organized units have no involvement in this incident into which investigation by our side continues,” the HSM Headquarters Command said. The guerrilla movement’s statement underlined the principled position that “Three guerrillas of our forces were martyred by Turkish security forces in a clash that took place in the Kağızman district of Kars on October 25. In the face of all the attacks targeting us, we as the Kurdistan People's Defense Forces have the right to retaliation.” The HSM Headquarters Command stressed that there had been no instructions given for the killing of the 3 soldiers in Gever and that their investigation into the incident is continuing. The Turkish military has launched an expansive operation in the Cudi area on the basis of reports about an alleged seizure of 8 sacks of fertilizer on a truck, the HSM Command said, and they also said that these allegations and exaggerated information are being aimed to prepare the ground for military operations. The HSM said that it was important that public opinion not give credit to such wrong and exaggerated reports. The government is accusing the PKK of hijacking a truck with 400 kilograms of ammonium nitrate at a coal mine in the Silopi district of Şırnak near the border with Iraq. At the same time, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said late yesterday, “From now on, we may refrain from speaking about the resolution process in this period. We are not obliged to the resolution process.” Arınç also said that the government is "determined" to advance the peace process. “We will continue acting with perseverance and patience in the resolution process. We will not be the side that ends it, this is what we can say,” Arınç stated. “We are a political institution; we are the government and we are representing the bodies of the state. We should do everything within the laws; we are at the same time a state governed by the rule of law. Some politicians, those who have close relations with İmralı and Kandil, are ignoring these incidents. The grievances of the nation are falling on their deaf ears,” Arınç said. These remarks are pointed at the progressive forces engaged in the resolution process and functioning in a legitimate advisory capacity between the government and the liberation movement. Arınç made an additionally destructive comment. “If somebody comes up and says ‘Ignore all of these things on the ground of the resolution process and tell us about the secretariat,’ at a time when the public’s sensitivity is intense like this and when the blood of our police, sergeants and soldiers is still on the floor, then we would not even look at that person’s face,” he said. This was yet another attack on the resolution process and the people’s forces working on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 © EPA/SEDAT SUNA Islamic State militants have anti-aircraft weapons — media BEIRUT, 29 October. /TASS/. The Kurdish fighters has rebuffed Islamic State (IS) militants’ attacks at the eastern side of the Syrian town of Kobani (over 500km from capital Damascus). On Tuesday, Kurdish fighters destroyed 9 militants in an ambush, Al-Watan reported. Several Islamists were captured. The siege of the Kurdish administrative center lasts for more than 40 days. Losses have exceeded 800 people on both sides. Most citizens (over 200,000 people) fled across the border into Turkey. Iraqi Kurds sent a convoy with weapons for Kobani defenders through Turkey. It is expected to cross the Syrian-Turkish border and arrive in the city today. 155 militants of the Peshmerga forces (Iraqi Kurdish military forces) accompany a convoy. They will deliver 40 cannons and mortars, trucks and off-road vehicle equipped with machine guns, and emergency medical cars. This act has a deep symbolic meaning. Kurdish fighters, who defend Kobani, are mostly composed of militants from the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), which is considered as Syrian branch of the forbidden for separatism in Turkey Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Recently Ankara confirmed that it still considers PYD as terrorist organization. © EPA/SEDAT SUNA Russia says US-led coalition fails to coordinate with Syria against IS The Kurds, in their turn, have accused the Turkish authorities, who have been blocking the delivery of military assistance for several weeks, of the "connivance of the IS." According to regional observers, the allowance of Peshmerga convoy to enter Kobani will increase the role of the Syrian and Iraqi Kurds in opposition to the "Islamic state" in the international coalition against terrorism under the auspices of the United States. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Comrade Agir Amed (Aziz Ürselendi) is mourned in Istanbul As severe clashes continue in Kobanê, solidarity with YPG and YPJ (Rojava's People's/Women's Defense Forces) forces spreads across North Kurdistan and Turkey. Today a large group of students from DÖDEF (Confederation of Democratic Students' Associations) set up a mourning tent in the Kadıköy district of İstanbul to commemorate YPG fighter Agir Amed (Aziz Ürselendi) who was a student at Marmara University. Agir Amed reportedly joined the YPG in April and lost his life in Kobanî, Rojava (West Kurdistan). Agir Amed's friends from different universities in Istanbul have gathered around the tent commemorating him and expressing their sadness. They say that "Heval Agir came to İstanbul to study geography.Yet due to the dirty politics on Kobanî, he decided to join the YPG and fight against the system imposing slavery on the peoples in Rojava, especially the Kurdish nation." Agir's firends will be available at the commemoration tent for three days. Posted by Urun Harvest at 5:20 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Victories and solidarity in the common-front effort against ISIS and Turkish state repression We have the following news items about Rojava’s revolution and today’s progress in the common front against ISIS. * US warplanes hit ISIS positions near Kobane yesterday and today. At least 8 raids were carried out and 6 ISIS vehicles, a building and several fighting positions were hit. In Iraq, American drones and fighter jets conducted 6 bombing raids, including 3 near Sinjar. * A military group affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) crossed from Turkey to Kobane at the Mürşitpınar border crossing early this morning. They crossed with 8 pickup trucks after having been kept waiting at the border gate since late last night. Eighty-five peshmerga fighters from the Kurdistan Regional Government who flew from Erbil to Urfa have also arrived at the Mürşitpınar border gate. They are expected to cross into Kobanê following the arrival of other 65 peshmerga fighters who are traveling to Kobanê by road with trucks, guns and heavy weapons. All of the peshmerga fighters with their weapons are expected to enter Kobanê today. The peshmerga forces were kept waiting in the border area as civilians have been prevented from accessing the border gate and hills overlooking Kobanê. The first group of peshmerga arrived in Suruç, where there is intensive military activity. The group of 85 fighters were brought from the Urfa GAP airport and were kept waiting at the Çukobirlik site on the road leading to the Mürşitpınar border post. In the area where the peshmerga were situated there are Turkish special forces, riot police and many armored vehicles. Hills overlooking Kobanê and the Mürşitpınar border post have been put out of bounds to civilians. Four days after a similar ban was implemented for the Medresat hill, armored vehicles have been deployed on the other hills and civilians are not being allowed access. * The YPG (People's Protection Units) Press Center said that 25 ISIS members were killed in the last day of clashes. We are now in the 44th day of on-going attacks by ISIS on Rojava’s Kobanê canton. The YPG reported that ISIS gangs continued their mortar attacks targeting the Kobanê city center after facing a strong response in clashes with YPG forces as they launched their attacks with reinforcements. The YPG met and repelled ISIS assaults on the eastern front where violent clashes took place last evening. The YPG said that their forces responded to the ISIS gangs that launched attacks on Municipality Street. Three ISIS fighters were killed in fighting in the Kaniya Kurda region as well. YPG fighters also carried out an action against ISIS forces deployed between the villages of Shêran and Kabacox to the east of Kobanê yesterday afternoon. Two ISIS vehicles were destroyed and 13 ISIS fighters were killed in the YPG action. Seven ISIS fighters were killed in another action which targeted an ISIS position near the village of Izea to the west of Kobanê. * The YPG Press Center also issued a statement providing information about the clashes with ISIS gangs in the Til Hemis and Jazaa regions of Rojava. YPG forces carried out two actions against the ISIS forces deployed near the villages of Mesusa and Amrige to the northwest of Til Hemis last night. Five ISIS gang members were killed and 2 ISIS vehicles were destroyed in the YPG action. YPG fighters hit ISIS near the village of Arce in the west Jazaa region. Three ISIS fighters were killed, one was wounded and an ISIS vehicle was destroyed there. YPG forces carried out an action against the ISIS gangs near the Qadisiyê Biçuk village to the southeast of Jazaa last evening. One ISIS fighter was killed and an ISIS vehicle was damaged in the action. * The HPG (People's Defense Forces) Sinjar Command has released a statement giving information about the intensifying clashes with ISIS gangs around the village of Solak in Sinjar, South Kurdistan. The statement said that HPG guerrillas and YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters have launched an expansive operation in memory of their comrades who fell fighting in Sinjar. Patriotic circles including tribes who have no relations with any political groups, are also taking part in the offensive which has been launched in response to the intensified attacks byISIS gangs in the Solak village region. The HPG Sinjar Command stated that an attack was carried out against ISIS gangs heading from the Solak region to the mountainside last evening. Seven gang members were killed in the attack which was launched from two directions. Seven ISIS fighters were killed and 10 others were wounded in another action by Kurdish forces targeting a position and a heavy weapon-laden ISIS vehicle. The HPG also said that one ISIS member was killed in a suicide attack in Solak village this morning. HPG-YBS forces have also launched an offensive against the ISIS forces deployed near the Nerka Mountain to the east of Solak village this morning. The mountain was entirely cleansed of ISIS forces and taken under control by guerrillas as result of the offensive. At least 10 ISIS fighters died and many others were wounded in this fighting. Kurdish forces have also seized large quantities of ammunition belonging to the ISIS gangs during their actions and operations in recent days. The HPG Sinjar Command vowed to continue the resistance until Sinjar is liberated and called on everyone to join the ranks of the HPG and YBS in order to complement the fighting and the struggle against ISIS in Sinjar. * Deputies of the Party of the European Left, the Greek Syriza and the French Communist Party are continuing their contacts in Suruç, meeting members of the HDP (People’s Democratic Party) and DBP (Party of Democratic Regions), emphasizing that they will push for a corridor be opened into Kobanê as soon as possible. The Deputy President of the Party of the European Left, Tobias Plfueger, its general secretary, Paolo Ferrero, Nikolaj Villmunsen from the Danish Red/Green Alliance and Syriza MEP Nantia Valavani and advisor Evangelos Kalpadakis, president of the Party of the European Left and French Communist Party (PCF) National Secretary Pierre Laurent, PCF leader Lydia Samarbash and PCF international relations commission member Sylvie Jan are continuing their meetings in Suruç. The delegation has met DBP officials and HDP MPs. The delegations were met by Democratic Society Congress (DTK) member Feleknas Uca, HDP MPs İbrahim Binici and Nazmi Gür and HDP party assembly member Mehmet Doymaz, who provided information on the Kobanê-Suruç resistance now in its 45th day. HDP Urfa MP İbrahim Binici said, “Only the Kurdish freedom movement has been able to halt this brutal organization. In the same way that Turkey has for years tried to throttle the Kurdish freedom movement it wanted to do the same in Kobanê," adding that Turkish support for the ISIS gangs has been revealed in the press on numerous occasions. The DBP municipalities have provided 200,000 people from Kobanê with aid while the Turkish state has not provided anything. Additional urgent support is needed as winter is approaching. This was explained to the delegation. Members of the delegation said that they would not remain silent. Pierre Laurent said they would exert pressure in their home countries for a corridor to be opened to Kobanê, adding, “We have seen that the Turkish government, rather than assist you, wants to prevent you providing aid. When we return to Europe we will work for international support. We will ensure support goes directly to DBP municipalities. We are aware that as representatives of the Party of the European Left we have to be in solidarity with the Kurds. We will also endeavor to have the PKK removed from the list of ‘terrorist organizations’ in the EU.” The delegation then visited the tent cities in which citizens from Kobanê are living. The delegation will go to the village of Mehser where the resistance vigil is taking place and issue a statement there. Posted by Urun Harvest at 5:13 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest News from the social movements in Turkey, North Kurdistan and Rojava. We have the following items to report today from the social movements in Turkey, North Kurdistan and Rojava. We begin with a call for mass action on November 1. * Academics and writers from all over the world, including Noam Chomsky and Nobel Peace Laureate Adolfo Perez Esquive, have joined in an appeal for global solidarity with Kobanê on November 1. Demonstrations are needed around the world in support of the Kobanê resistance against the ISIS gangs. Saturday will be an International Day of Solidarity with Kobanê. The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Peoples Democratic Congress (HDK), Party of Democratic Regions (DBP) and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) have issued a statement calling for mass participation in the global rallies called for November 1. The statement says that now is the time for all of the peoples of the world to demonstrate that a different world exists from that of the imperialist and repressive states by supporting the resistance in Kobanê, adding, “We call on our people to come out on to the streets on November 1 with people all over the world in solidarity with Kobanê.” ISIS launched a major multi-front military campaign against the Kurdish region of Kobanê in northern Syria/Rojava as the third onslaught on Kobanê since March, 2014. The joint statement notes that ISIS is now attacking with larger forces and wants to take Kobanê after being unsuccessful on the two previous occasions. The statement continues: "ISIS has approached Kobanê’s borders, using heavy weapons. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are threatened by the most brutal genocide in modern history. The people of Kobanê are trying to resist using basic weapons against the most brutal attacks of ISIS terrorists, with only the assistance of the People’s Protection Units, the YPG and YPJ, but without any international help. The so-called international coalition to fight ISIS has not helped Kurdish resistance effectively despite witnessing the ongoing genocide committed against Kobanê. They have not fulfilled their real international legal obligations. Some of the countries in the coalition, especially Turkey, are among the financial and military supporters of the ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria. They have not opened a humanitarian corridor to Kobanê and are delaying the arrival of the peshmerga. They are waiting for Kobanê to fall, however Kobanê has resisted heroically for more than 6 weeks.” The YPG and YPJ are Rojava’s heroic People’s and Women’s Defense Forces. The peshmerga are fighters from the Kurdistan Regional Government (so-called “Iraqi Kurdistan”). The statement calls for “Global rallies for Kobanê and for humanity” against ISIS, adding that democratic autonomy in Rojava promises freedom for all the peoples of Syria. "The ‘Rojava Model’ is a non-sectarian secular model which advocates pluralism and the unity of peoples. Everyone who wants democracy in our country and in the Middle East should support the resistance in Kobanê. A humanitarian corridor should be opened immediately and the status of the cantons of Rojava recognized," the statement says. The class struggle---another construction worker killed * A construction worker was killed at a construction site in Adana after falling from a service elevator while carrying bricks to the sixth floor of the building today. The worker lost his balance while trying to reach the elevator and hung in the air for a short time after he managed to grab the edge of elevator. He then fell after he could no longer hold on, falling before his workmates were able to help him. The worker was badly injured after falling onto a pile of bricks and died before reaching hospital. Peace, justice and sports The futbol club of the Diyarbakır/Amed Metropolitan Municipality has changed its name to Amedspor, referring to the Kurdish name of Diyarbakır province. The club’s congress also adopted the double headed eagle figure which is found in the ancient walls of Diyarbakır as their symbol. The club’s Co-President İhsan Avcı said that their mutual agreement was to change the club’s name to reflect the historical roots of the city. Ahmet Yıldırım, one of the club’s former administrators, said that most societies that lost their freedom expressed their understanding of freedom and peace through sports. “Therefore, one of the first meanings of sports is peace,” he said. The people’s armed struggle and state repression * A Turkish non-commissioned officer who was shopping with his wife in downtown Diyarbakır was shot in the head today by unidentified assailants who quickly fled the scene. The officer remains in a critical condition, a military statement said. Police and special operation teams have started an operation in the city to catch those responsible. The General Staff’s statement was quick to blame the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) even after the PKK has denied responsibility for two earlier killings and has said that they are investigating those killings and as PKK leaders have pushed to for calm and progress on the resolution process underway between the Kurdish liberation movement and the government. * The Turkish army launched an air-supported operation in the Cudi Mountain area late yesterday evening. Local people in the Silopi district of Şırnak marched to the area, the Grê Çolya region, to stop the operation in order to avoid a clash between the Turkish military and guerrillas forces. The people were stopped by soldiers near the village of Uyanık while on their way to the operations area, but they succeeded in forcing the soldiers to withdraw from the area. Clashes broke out between young people and police in the Başak neighborhood of the Silopi district when the people turned back from the area after forcing the military to stop the operation. One young person was badly wounded and later died after being hit by a real bullet fired by police. The environmentalist struggle and the olive groves * Turkey’s Council of State ordered a stay of execution today for a bill that opened olive groves across the country for the construction of energy facilities. The top court argued that the provision contradicts the purpose of existing legislation, which protects olive groves and aims to increase the production of olives. The new law recently sparked staunch protests in Soma, which saw the worst industrial disaster in Turkey's history in May with the deaths of at least 301 mine workers there. The Kolin construction company has cut down hundreds of olive trees to build a coal plant near the village of Yırca in the Soma district despite the people’s opposition. Villagers there have been beaten and attacked with tear gas by guards hired by Kolin. Lawyers representing the olive producers who appealed the bill said that they will now file a complaint against companies that do not respect the decision by continuing to cut down olive trees. “The ruling creates a precedent. There can’t be any plant or mine placed in an olive grove,” said lawyer Hüseyin Enis Dinçeroğlu. It seems unlikely to us that the energy companies, the developers and the authorities will honor the ruling. We have seen in Istanbul most recently a special disregard for a court order there protecting green space and the Energy Ministry said last July that the bill was needed for the construction of Turkey’s first nuclear plant, which will be built on the southern coast. Also, this new law has helped powerful private investors working in the energy sector and military defense facilities. It favors the use of fossil fuels. The Gezi Resistance today The father of Ali İsmail Korkmaz, a student who died after being fatally beaten by plainclothes police during last year’s Gezi protests in Eskişehir, is building a foundation that will contribute to keeping his son’s memory alive. Şahap Yılmaz, is a construction worker by trade. He and a crew are renovating a building in Antakya that will house the Ali İsmail Korkmaz Foundation. The Foundation will carry out a number of projects, including one that was designed by Ali İsmail Korkmaz when he was young and involves collecting books to distribute to children living in rural villages. The foundation will also provide scholarships to support young students involved in social projects. The trial into the murder of Ali İsmail Korkmaz started in February in Kayseri after being moved from Eskişehir following a decision from the Justice Ministry for alleged security reasons. Building the repressive apparatus in Turkey Katmerciler Ekipman will be supplying Turkey's national police force with 65 riot control vehicles with water cannons, known as TOMAs. A statement from the company said, “Five companies submitted their offers to a tender that was initiated by the General Directorate of the National Police to buy 65 TOMAs. Our company won the tender by giving the lowest price at 13.6 million euros. The deal has been signed with the Turkish authorities. The liberal/social-democratic opposition was quick to question the details of the deal. Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Sezgin Tanrıkulu asked Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu in a parliamentary question whether or not the government had declined to follow a transparent tender process for the purchase of the 65 TOMAs, but instead secretly awarded the deal to Katmerciler. The company is owned by a former AKP (Turkey’s ruling reactionary governing party) deputy. The deal has given the company a tremendous boost in their share prices. The company’s trademark TOMAs gained such international fame during the police crackdowns on the Gezi resistance that the company now has contracts in Brazil and Libya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Thursday, October 30, 2014 News from the fight against ISIS in Rojava, Kobanî and Şingal Photo from two days ago We have the following news from Rojava, Kobanî and Şingal this evening. We apologize to readers for not getting the word out earlier.We must first say that we are unsure about the status of the peshmerga fighters who have headed towards Kobanê to fight. We know that 150 peshmerga fighters left the Federal Republic (so-called "Iraqi Kurdistan") and were allowed into Turkey in order to enter Kobanê to join the common-front fight against ISIS there. However, the last word that we have is that these fighters have not yet entered Kobanê and that a delegation from the peshmerga crossed the border for talks with the People's/Women's Defense Forces (YPG/YPJ) and later returned. Turkish and US media are telling a very different story if they are talking about this at all. The 150 peshmerga fighters are waiting at the Çukobirlik site near the Mürşitpınar border crossing.The Turkish government interfered by publicly blaming Kobanê's leadership for the delay. "There is a problem of trust between the PYD (the Democratic Union Party, Rojava's leading party) and the peshmerga," Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Tuesday. "Therefore, the delay in the process (of the peshmerga passage to Kobani) stems from such reasons." These remarks were premature and could well be intended to cover Turkish interference in the matter. We must also say that the Turkish government has encouraged whatever distrust may exist here. Statements from Kobanê's leadership appear elsewhere on this blog and indicate that the issue is sensitive and that it is being worked out.The Kurdistan Regional Government has offered to send more forces to Kobane if asked, KRG President Masoud Barzani said in a statement. Barzani also thanked Turkey and the US for their cooperation in sending forces to Kobanê. President Barzani said that they only sent a “backup force and weaponry” to Kobane, adding, “We will not hesitate to send more Peshmerga troops if the conditions at the battlefront change or if there is a request for further troops and we once again have consent.”The Syrian government has criticized Turkey over allowing foreign fighters into the country as the question of the peshmerga entering Kobanê seemed resolved today, and after the passage of some elements of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) joined the common front against ISIS fighting in and around Kobanê.The Syrian Foreign Ministry said that letting foreign fighters cross into the country was a "blatant violation" of its sovereignty, and described the move as a "disgraceful act," according to a Reuters report.In another interview with The Associated Press in Damascus, Bouthaina Shaaban said that the move was intended for Turkey to expand its influence in Syria by sending in anti-Bashar al-Assad fighters. "I see that Turkey is continuing in its role of aggression against Syria and its very dangerous role in the region," Shaaban said. She also stated, "Its very dangerous role in the region is motivated by their Ottoman ambition. [it] does not really target saving the Kurds," while referring to Ottoman conquests and history. These remarks are accurate, but it does not follow that the peshmerga have no right to enter Kobanê in solidarity with the anti-ISIS fight and it does not follow that we are in agreement with the Assad regime by pointing out the Turkish government's "neo-Ottoman" policies.* Twelve Êzidî (Yezidi) women have joined the Şingal Resistance Units (YBŞ) after successfully completing the required training program. The YBŞ and HPG (People's Defense Forces) guerrillas and other patriotic forces and tribes on Şingal Mount are defending more than 10,000 people there now.The 12 women attended the training program at the Martyr Xanê Academy and gained the military skills needed to fight in YBŞ units against the ISIS gangs.* The YPG Press Center today reported that attacks by the ISIS gangs aimed at occupying Kobanî have continued into the 45th day. Eighty-six ISIS gang members were killed in the last 24 hours of violent clashes.The YPG statement says that ISIS gangs were launching large-scale attacks after bringing more reinforcements and heavy weapons from Raqqa, Minbic, Jarablus and Gire Spî (Tal Abyad), and that all of the ISIS attacks were repulsed as the YPG inflicted heavy blows on the ISIS forces.The YPG Press Center stated that on the eastern front hand-to-hand fighting between YPG forces and ISIS gangs continued throughout the day and night in the Kaniya Kurda neighborhood, on Municipality Streeet and on Azadî Square. Eighteen ISIS fighters were killed in the fighting on the eastern front.On the southern front ISIS gangs launched a major offensive which the YPG forces beat back. Fifty-four ISIS fighters were killed in the fighting. Clashes were continuing when this report was written.The statement said that YPG forces also carried out assaults on the ISIS gangs deployed around Kobanî, adding that one taxi belonging to the ISIS gangs was destroyed and that 4 ISIS fighters were killed in the hit as the YPG targeted ISIS positions around the village of Helinc to the southeast of Kobanî. Three other ISIS fighters were killed after YPG fighters destroyed a vehicle of theirs near Izea village on the western front of the town. Another assault by YPG forces targeted 2 vehicles near the village of Minaze, again to the south of Kobanî, killing at least 7 ISIS gang members killed.The YPG Press Center added that 16 heroic YPG fighters have fallen while putting up a brave resistance in the last one day of violent clashes with the ISIS gangs. Posted by Urun Harvest at 8:15 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest ISIS And The West The following article – “IŞİD ve Batı” – was written by Metin Yeğin and appeared in Özgür Gündem. It has been translated into English below. We are not editing it for this blog because we are struck by how profound and necessary this article is. Our version comes from the good friends at The Rojava Report. The West’s share of responsibility in the emergence of ISIS is not only in the occupation of Iraq and its operations in Syria. There are many foreigners in ISIS and the fact that an important segment have come from the West requires a different analysis. In particular, the increasing lack of social and community security in the West as a result of post-industrial and neo-liberal policies have had their biggest effect on immigrants. Immigrants have often been first to have their unemployment aid and social welfare benefits cut. In parallel with this immigrants, and in particular Muslims, have also been made the primary target of social exclusion and mass hatred. [These states] have been cutting off the support given to the Afghans, Pakistanis, Bosnians, Caucasians, Algerians, Moroccans, Egyptians, Palestinians, Arabs, Turks, Kurds and all the others who left their countries and now fill the back streets of the West!And now because they are unable to find work or to find housing with their reduced social benefits, and because their working conditions have grown worse and their wages have fallen they have become just like those ‘immigrants’ to which these powers are always gesturing. Once more the Muslims – ‘potential terrorists’ who might fill the empty slot slated for the enemy following the breakup of the Soviet Union – have drawn the most attention in these ghettos, which were once poor but solidarist neighborhoods for different subcultures but which have been transformed into criminalized ghetto spaces with the implementation of neoliberal urbanization policies. As a result of this the ‘ameliorization’ efforts of the ‘welfare’ state and the aid the of social state have been replaced with a policy of ‘punishment.’This is to say that now these ‘districts of misery’ that were born together with the trimming back of social rights have been subjected to the ‘prison regime.’ In such a way these places have become ghettoized spaces created by overlapping spatial dimensions of race, class and state intervention. Those who joined ISIS and carried out those executions with their perfect English are without a doubt children of this discrimination. And what is more the intelligence agencies which are aware of their departures – however true this might be – are pleased by their remigration. Everything else aside the dangerous elements of the criminalized ghettos of the prison regime are leaving the country.My writing about the subject of the ISIS war economy last week and social exclusion within ghettos in West today is not simply an academic analysis, nor is it at all meant to argue that we must “take into consideration the conditions under which ISIS has emerged.” I want to stress the results created by overlapping spatial dimensions of the war economy, ethnicity, class and the state. Because the same spatial dimensions can be found in Istanbul, Izmir and everywhere else. And this certainly applies to Amed (Diyarbakir) as well and therefore the results are the same. And the police bill that they are attempting to pass into law is also another part of this prison regime. And so in Rojava, the world’s point zero, where on one side of the ongoing war we have an economy of murder, and on the other a right to housing, a four-hour workday, a woman’s republic, that is to say a resistance whose magical potion is Equality and Freedom…For this reason all those who say “communities, cooperatives, and collectives are beautiful but not possible now” – and who are generally out standing on top of jeeps and watching Kobanê from Suruç through binoculars – are ‘patriotic’ contractors and however big and expensive their binoculars they won’t be able to understand that Rojava is a revolution which aims to bring down the overlapping spatial dimensions of race, class and state intervention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Arrests hit progressive people in North Kurdistan on the eve of mass demonstrations in support of Kobanê We have the following notes on arrests in Turkey and North Kurdistan today. These repressive acts are aimed at stopping or inhibiting the protests in support of Kobanê planned for tomorrow and come at a moment when the Turkish government has frozen all peace talks with the Kurdish liberation movement nd progressive forces. Please see pour many posts below for additional details.* Five people have been taken into custody for participating in demonstrations in solidarity with Kobanê in the Mazıdağı district of Mardin. Eight people were taken into custody during house raids in the Mazıdağı district early yesterdayy morning and were sent to court after giving testimony at the police station. Three of these people, including two minors, were released by the court while the other five were arrested and sent to the Mardin E-Type Prison for alleged membership in a terrorist organization. Speaking in front of the court where hundreds gathered to protest the arrests, DBP (Party of Democratic Regions) Mazıdağı district chair Mehmet Şık condemned the attitute of the AKP (Justice and Development Party, Turkey's ruling reactionary party) government and President Erdoğan, stressing that detentions and arrests will never intimidate the Kurdish people who will never stop owning their struggle and honor. * Turkish police are continuing their operations against the Kurdish people with the intention of intimidating them. Thirty-one more arrests have been reported in Erzurum, Aydın, Mardin and Varto. This morning in the Tekman district of Erzurum the police raided houses in various villages and neighborhoods, detaining 11 people. During the raids the police ransacked houses and swore at the occupants. Police violence has increased since the AKP government gave the police extended powers of arrest. The reason given for the arrests of these 11 people was their having taken part in a protest against attacks on Kobanê that took place on September 27. In the town of Varto all roads were blocked prior to raids. Hundreds of police in armored vehicles broke down doors and arrested at least 9 people. Police remain on the streets in Varto, which has been surrounded by armored vehicles. Police also carried out raids in the Nazilli district of Aydın province near the Aegean. Eight people were arrested in connection with Kobanê protests. In the Derik district of Mardin province 3 municipal workers were detained after being summoned to the district police HQ on the grounds that they supported the Kobanê resistance. Two of three people detained yesterday in the town were subsequently placed in custody for attending a Kobanê protest. Posted by Urun Harvest at 11:05 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Women of Eastern Kurdistan ("Iranian Kurdistan") mobilize for tomorrow's demonstrations In the statements below we see that women in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhelat, or so-called "Iranian Kurdistan") are inspired to organize and take part in tomorrow's demonstrations. We have not edited these brief reports from our friends at Firat News. In a statement the Free Women Society of Eastern Kurdistan (KJAR) called people, especially women and youth to participate in international day of supporting Kobanê protest on November 1st. Today, under leadership of People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), with lowest facilities and at difficult conditions the Kurdish people in Kobanê have put up a legendary resistance against fascism of ISIS and their allies, said KJAR in their statement and added: The resistance of Kobanê safeguards the revolution’s achievements throughout Kurdistan. KJAR emphasizes the historical resistance pioneered by warriors similar to martyr Arîn Mîrkan has turned into a global resistance stretching from Afghanistan to Africa, and from Argentina to many ally nations of Kurds, declaring their solidarity with people and resistance of Kobanê. The statement also points to the recent uprisings in Kurdistan which attracted the attention of global community and emphasizes: Until the total defeat of ISIS and victory of Kobanê’s resistance the protests must go on. According to KJAR 1st of November as Wolrd Kobanê Day is a good opportunity for people’s mass attendance. KJAR called people of Rojhelat (Eastern Kurdistan) and all who care about freedom to defend the honor of Kobanê’s mothers as well as YPG and YPJ warriors. KJAR and Jineoloji Centre: Kurdistan has thousands of revolutionary women like Arîn Mîrkan Cîhan Çiya the coordination member of Free Women Society of East Kurdistan (KJAR) in her message on the occasion of forty-day resistance in Kobanê said: “We saluted the Kobanê from the free mountain (Qendil), what happens in the Kobanê originated from five thousand of resistance that shows essence of the Kurdish people”. “Kobanê strength proved no force could violate the dignity and rights of the Kurdish nation. The attacks continued in the conspiracy that is targeting the Kurds will from a long time ago. The championship took place at Kobanê impact on the resistance of four parts of Kurdistan”, Cîhan Çiya pointed. In relation to women leadership against conspiracies she adds: “women like Arîn Mîrkan and other symbols’ who were seen in Kobanê with self-sacrificing sprite repeated once again the revolutionaries history like Berîtan, Zîlan and Sema”. 'Artificial boundaries cannot separated us from each other' The Coordination member of KJAR, in reference to the popular uprisings in four parts of Kurdistan stated as one the Kobanê resistance gains said: “Kurds especially in West and North “chanted the martyr are alive” proved to the world the artificial boundaries cannot separated them from each other”. 'There are thousands of women like Arîn Mîrkan in East Kurdistan' In regard of Rojhilat (East Kurdistan) she said: “The recent days showed all cities of Rojhilat are the historical origins of struggle and resistance of Kurds. Protest to support of the Kobanê, martyrs and freedom fighters has been very encouraging. We can imagine that there are thousands of women like Arîn Mîrkan in East Kurdistan”. “Iranian regime is afraid of women participation in protests over all because experience has shown that where women are present better results can be achieved” Cîhan Çiya specified. 'It became clear that system of control by force is doomed to failure' On the other hand, Viyan Şoreş member of Jineoloji Centre (science of women) emphasized: “thinking about freedom suppressed in a social, once again it became clear that the system of control by force is doomed to failure. The Iranian government must understand that it will be added to the people’s demands for the establishment of a democratic and self-rule system”. “Women should act in civil disobedience also Iranian-Kurdish artists and intellectuals have to play their role to create the social change. The Kurdish protest spread to cities of Îlam and Kirmaşan shows the policies of Molla’s and Shah regime has failed to assimilate and denial of Kurdish identity”, she said. Posted by Urun Harvest at 10:45 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Rojava's Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) calls for resistance tomorrow We are not editing this call by Rojava's heroic Women's Defense Forces (YPJ) for resistance tomorrow. Fighters of the YPJ (Women’s Protection Units) in Rojava, West Kurdistan, who are resisting against the ISIS gangs in Kobanê called on the world public to take to the streets on World Kobanê Day, 1 November, in solidarity with Kobanê. The YPJ fighters have also made a call for 1st November, declared as a Day for Kobanê after the appeal signed by world renowned intellectuals. YPJ fighter Evrim said: “We are here and we are standing, you also stand up and resist”, while another YPJ fighter said: “I call on all humanity: Everyone must stand up for Kobanê”. YPJ fighter Evrim stressed that the attacks of ISIS gangs are in fact attacks on humanity and called on everyone to struggle against these gangs. “I call on all the people of Kurdistan to stand up and to resist. Everyone must stand up against ISIS as ISIS is carrying out a war on humanity. We have to destroy them. We are here and standing, you also stand up and resist”, said Evrim. Another YPJ fighter, Awaz, said that they were resisting at the frontline and everyone calling him/herself a human being must resist against these gangs wherever one is. “We are resisting here. And everyone must support this resistance. We want everyone to take to the streets on 1 November and to support Kobanê”, added Awaz. Gerilla, another YPJ fighter, said: “I call on all humanity as a YPJ fighter: Everyone must stand up for Kobanê. We have to cleanse these lands of these gangs. I thank everyone for all they have done so far for Kobanê. But we have to do more. We want all the people around the world to stand up in solidarity with Kobanê as we fight here against a gang organisation that has declared war on humanity.” Another YPJ fighter, Serhildan, also called on everyone to support Kobanê, saying: “we are resisting here as YPG and YPJ forces. We want everyone to be in solidarity with us, primarily the people from Kobanê”. Gulbahar also said: “We want everyone to struggle against these gangs with us hand in hand. We have to unite against this enemy and struggle together. We have to say ‘enough’ to all the things these gangs are committing.” Posted by Urun Harvest at 10:37 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Asya Abdullah calls for participation in 1 November rallies and makes a particular call to women We are not editing this call by Asya Abdullah for participation in tomorrow's rallies in support of Kobanê. PYD (Rojava's Democratic Union Party) Co-President Asya Abdullah has called on everyone, especially women, to take part in the global rallies for Kobanê that are taking place tomorrow all over the world. Asya Abdullah, who is in Kobanê, called for participation in ‘1 November Day for Kobanê’, which is being supported by hundreds of internationally renowned academics, writers, philosophers and Nobel laureates. Abdullah described the rallies to be held in many places all over the world as a historic step, saying there should be broad participation to strengthen the significant international support for Kobanê. Asya Abdullah added that the resistance in Kobanê was a ‘women’s resistance’, saying women should join the rallies and take a leading role in them. ‘ISIS is targeting fundamental human values’ She said that ISIS attacks on Kobanê which began on 15 September were: “Attacks not just on the canton of Kobanê, but also on human values. International public opinion should evaluate these attacks within this framework.” Abdullah emphasised that human values were being defended in Kobanê, that freedom for Kobanê would lead the way to freedom for all the peoples of the region, and that the peoples should therefore support and take ownership of the struggle in Kobanê. ‘Support for the Kobanê resistance is significant’ Asya Abdullah emphasised the importance of international support for the unbroken 46 day resistance of the YPG/YPJ (Rojava's People's/Women's Defense Forces) and Burkan Al Firat. Abdullah said they saw the Kobanê Day rallies and demonstrations with people from all over the world of different backgrounds and cultures coming together as historic. Abdullah continued, saying: “Tomorrow’s demonstrations will strengthen endeavours to create a joint culture to oppose all manner of assaults on human values. They will also boost morale in the Kobanê resistance. We expect a large turnout at these rallies.” Particular call to women Abdullah made a particular call to women, saying: “The resistance in Kobanê is also a women’s resistance. The ISIS gangs are enemies of women. It is women led by the YPJ who have most opposed the attacks by these gangs on Kobanê. The resistance is therefore a women’s resistance, defending the freedom of Kurdish women, and also that of women all over the world. It is therefore necessary for women to attend the 1 November rallies and play a leading role in them.” Posted by Urun Harvest at 10:33 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest How ISIS Impacts on Turkey’s Daily Life We picked up this post from our friends at bianet. We think that it talks in real terms about the on-going challenges and dangers which are alive in Turkey and the region in the present moment. ISIS has descended on us like a nightmare in the Middle East, forcing itself on all our agendas. This agenda may be new for us in Turkey, but one should note that the history of ISIS goes back a long way. ISIS took rapid root in Iraq, passed into Syria and now is fighting against the forces of YPG to take Kobane, the Kurdish city on the Syria-Turkey border. ISIS has killed thousands of innocent people, and now forced tens of thousands to leave their homes and live in tent-cities. Thousands of women are being sold on a slave market by ISIS, and some of them raped. ISIS terrorizes over daily life where it has seized control. As ISIS approaches Mursitpinar, on the border between Syria (and Kobane) and Turkey, where the YPG is fighting against ISIS, the AKP has done nothing. On the contrary, despite all the controversy in the western media, neither the AKP nor its supporters accept criticisms of their inaction. The situation is far too complicated and hard for everyone in Turkey. ISIS potentially taking Kobane and attacking people on the streets and in universities, showed us that the danger was at the door, and may even be already inside Turkey. All this has led to a profound change in our political lives. In fact, Turkey’s daily life has changed in the space of a few days. Protests and a potential Islamist base Protests emerged after the pro-minority rights opposition party’s call (HDP) for support for Kobane. Thousands of Kurds, leftists, socialists and various sectors of society went to the streets to protest in different cities, especially in the eastern Kurdish cities and in Istanbul. They were greeted with considerable violence. Efkan Ala, the Minister of Interior has stated that the death toll is 35, and the media reported that the death toll is 37. This was the toll taken in three days of protest. Some of these deaths were due to gunfire on the part of Turkish police and army forces. Cops and army forces attacked protesters with tear gas and water cannon. Of course this is not a new thing – that the Turkish government uses violence against Turkish protesters. But what was most unsettling was the keen sympathy displayed by some sectors of the Turkish population towards radical Islamism or Islamic terror. Because the protesters were not only attacked and wounded or killed by police and the armed forces. They were also attacked by these supporters of violent extremism who came at them with sticks, knifes, machetes, swords, guns and shotguns. They too opened fire against anti-ISIS protesters and killed some of them. A pro-ISIS group in Istanbul University attacked leftist and Kurdish students with sticks and bottles repeatedly over ten days. By the way, police also attacked an anti-ISIS, pro-Kobane protest in Ankara University and detained students and scholars. On top of these events, a curfew was declared in a number of cities, mainly Kurdish cities. The fear and sense of profound turmoil has risen sharply, because of the many warnings which emphasize that ISIS may launch an attack inside Turkey, and that as a result it is dangerous to go outside, in the streets. The groups mentioned which attacked anti-ISIS protests with sticks and guns actually contain elements from the mainstream parties, although they have hitherto been considered as ‘marginal’ groups. Except for Huda-Par which it is claimed has a connection with Hizbullah, the rest of the protesters are members of or at least fellow-travellers to the ruling party AKP (Justice and Development Party) and MHP (Nationalist Movement Party). It’s easy to identify this just by looking at photographs of the attackers. Both political leanings have a conservative-İslamist-nationalist character. So, there is sympathy for ISIS because of its Sunniness on the one hand, and there’s a hostility to Kurds because they are the main element which opposes ISIS decisively on the other hand. So this is the conjuncture in which everyday life now finds itself in Turkey. The eruption of sympathy towards ISIS all of a sudden, coupled with the rapid increase of hostility towards the Kurds, has unsettled everyone living in Turkey. Everyone fears that we might be plunged back into the bad old days of conflict before the September 12, 1980 coup d’état, or the period of counter-guerilla activities in the 1990’s. A short stroll on the streets of Istanbul is enough to see the apprehension in people’s eyes. Doing politics in a changed daily life How is it possible to conduct one’s-self and do politics in such a profoundly altered Turkey, one whose daily life, to put it bluntly, has been Middle-Easternized? The standard liberal exhortations to “decrease the tension” and “live in peace” in current conditions is simply not possible and not effective today. Even if these words are the ones we use in our political discourse, this won’t solve Turkey’s problem of Islamism and the hostile atmosphere. On the contrary, such discourses only mask the ongoing problem. The most common example of this is the superficial narrative that maintains that, “this [iSIS] is not the real Islam!” This argument simply frustrates attempts to find a solution to the danger which is ISIS and the political and societal problems that give rise to it. Where we are now is confronted by a certain Islamism which has not been considered a real threat even a few years ago, but which is now a threat of major proportions to Turkey. Today, Islamists gain their strength from ISIS and use violence to attack protesters, and even innocent bystanders. So we must face up to the fact that an Islamic terror has now entered Turkey, removing any clear lines between moderate-Islam, radical-Islam and nationalism. Turkey is facing difficult questions. It’s hard to find answers. But we can talk about two fundamental solutions. Firstly, we should construct a new and clear language of opposition which can expose discourses such as “this is not real Islam”. Secondly, Turkey should begin the search for a secular identity with a new content. This is a profound challenge - how can the Turkish state espouse a new and effective secular identity while the Islamists’ base is increasing rapidly. But still, if this does not happen, Turkey will become a Middle Eastern country which witnesses terrorist attacks every day, and which is dominated by a permanent civil war situation. (BM) * This article originally appeared on opendemocracy website Posted by Urun Harvest at 10:26 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Which is the real force for peace in Turkey now? The following notes deal with the peace process underway between the Kurdish liberation movement and the Turkish state, the protests which will be held tomorrow in support of embattled Kobane and some of the events and thinking which effect the peace negotiations and the protests. We admit that this is not a particularly well-ordered post, but we believe that the information given here can help provide a needed overview at this crucial moment.The Turkish government has never seemed willing or anxious to enter into real negotiations with the Kurdish liberation movement. We have detailed much of their foot-dragging and refusals on this blog and have highlighted that the liberation movement has continued to show much patience in the face of this obstruction. It has now been announced that the government has decided to freeze contact with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), as well as contact between state officials and Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the Kurdish liberation movement, for an indefinite period of time. Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has urged all parties involved in the resolution process to act with a sense of responsibility. “Everybody should clearly distance themselves from this culture of despotism, this terrorist mentality and vandalism,” Davutoğlu said last night. “Both our resolution process and our steps for development in the region will be continued with the same determination; nobody should have a doubt about this.” He then attacked the progressive opposition today when he said, "Claiming rights through violence is not accepted anywhere in the world. In no democratic country is demanding rights through the use of violence or by damaging the environment excused.” His charge is that the Kurdish liberation movement and the progressive opposition are inciting and engaging in violence and challenging democratic structures and that his government is responding by leaving the peace talks. Progressive forces were quick to respond. The HDP, the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK), the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) and the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) released a joint statement stating their position. These forces have called for the peace process to be accelerated and have appealed for calm as government and fascist forces attacked demonstrations and activists in solidarity with Kobane and Rojava and against ISIS terrorism. They are also among the many forces backing tomorrow's International Day of Global Action for Kobane. The Turkish government has avoided anything like a dialogue with the HDP and their companion parties and has instead prepared for violence tomorrow, building fears that violent demonstrations tomorrow will be a repeat of what they claim happened earlier this month when over forty people---most of them protesters---were killed in street violence. A special wave of government repression intended to derail the demonstrations built across Turkey and North Kurdistan this week and we will detail that elsewhere on this blog. We have said to this point that the new repressive legislation recently adopted in Turkey, the crackdowns on the demonstrations and the government's refusal to seriously engage in the peace negotiations carry the danger of moving Turkey and North Kurdistan backwards to the days of dictatorship and that they have as their first targets the leading progressive political parties and that they continue the war against the Kurds and the left. "Calls to take to the streets, while there is an opportunity to discuss existing issues all together in a peaceful environment, are neither legal nor well-intended. They are also of a damaging characteristic for the resolution perspective and sincere efforts that we have so far exerted,” Davutoğlu said. “I hope the HDP executives derive the required lessons from developments and truly act like a political party.” This direct attack on the HDP shows the real intentions of the government and their attitude about civil liberties. Pervin Buldan of the HDP argued in response to this that suspending the process would lay the ground for provocations and killings. “That’s why, instead of keeping the people waiting, the government should take faster steps,” Pervin Buldan said on CNNTürk. The HDP and its sister parties continue to argue for a speeding up of the peace process and continue to oppose ISIS and to support Kobani. A basic demand remains the opening a humanitarian aid corridor for Kobani and an advanced demand that Turkey recognize Rojava as an autonomous region have been in place for some time now. The Turkish government has refused to meet even that basic demand. Who, then, is the force for peace? The Siirt Governor's Office has fallen in line behind the government and said today that no protests will be allowed there tomorrow. Opposition to tomorrow's demonstrations has also come from the nationalist-fascist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The MHP is calling for the government to take firm action against an imagined “Kurdish Spring”---a transparently racist appeal. The liberal/ social-democratic Republican People's Party (CHP) has only said that the demonstrations must be peaceful and called on the government to protect democratic rights. People will certainly challenge these provocations and the abstract nature of the CHP's position. The government and the far-right also charge that the guerrilla movement and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) are attacking Turkish security forces. The security forces are on red alert in some areas. Their targets are the PKK, the Kurdistan Communities' Union (KCK) and the Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement (YDG-H). Three soldiers were recently killed in Hakkari while on their day off and an army sergeant was killed in front of his family near his home in Diyarbakır. The government and the far-right have blamed these killings on the YDG-H, but the liberation movement has denied responsibility and has stated that they are investigating what happened. A government-forced media blackout on the killing of the 3 soldiers has clearly made matters worse. Police raids in towns and cities and military flights over the area held by guerrilla forces in northern Iraq have also added to the tension and make it difficult for even the legal organizations to function and fulfill their responsibilities. Last night a group of unidentified people shot up a café used as a police club in the Cizre district of Şırnak. The Cizre Police Department was also attacked six days ago. In Van six cars were set on fire in a parking lot used by a court there. These incidents were also blamed on the liberation movement. We are not aware if the movement has denied or accepted responsibility for these actions. We can point to recent statements issued by the KCK calling for restraint and the use of democratic means but taking a principled position on the question of armed struggle as well. The liberation movement clearly stated that there would be conflict if the resolution process did move forward. In an effort to go to the heart of the matter, the president or chair of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group (S&D) at the European Parliament has urged the Turkish government to allow fighters from Rojava's heroic People’s Protection Units (YPG) to use Turkish territory to cross into Kobane. Had this already happened, had the aid corridor been opened, had the Turkish government not aided ISIS and attempted to turn the fighting in the region towards overthrowing the Assad regime and had the government acted responsibly in the peace negotiations the situation would look much different now. Gianni Pittella of the S&D group voiced some part of this analysis when he said today that “The coalition will decide on the helpful mediums for the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). Removing obstacles on the crossings of (YPG) fighters to fight against ISIS could be an example for that.” Pittella made these remarks after visiting Turkish officials and CHP and HDP leaders in Ankara. His words were intended to state his position and, we hope, to put pressure on the Turkish government as ell. Pittella's position on European support for Rojava and military aid for Kobane seems weak to us, but even the comments by Pittella that he “is not a soldier and cannot comment because he is not authorized to make such a decision” and that “Europe is fully committed to the fight against ISIL” may be understood as pressuring the Turkish government. He also distinguished between Rojava's leading Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the PKK while speaking to reporters, a fact on the ground that the Turkish state will not willingly acknowledge. Unfortunately, he kept to the line that the PKK is a terrorist organization. Pittella also came to Turkey with a carrot, of course. He said, "We want to open Chapters 23 and 24 of the (EU) negotiation process because we want to push the Turkish authorities to follow the guidelines for Turkey accepted by the Ministry of EU Affairs.” These chapters refer to human rights, gender equality, religious freedom and judicial reforms. Acceptance of these chapters by the Turkish government would be taken as a hopeful sign by the EU. This puts the government on the spot since the trend under the current government has been away from Europe and the EU and towards an ever more authoritarian government. On the Cyprus issue Pittella could only offer the weak line that both Turkey and Greece can share the natural resources of the entire island---a disastrous formulation. Posted by Urun Harvest at 10:14 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Demonstrations on November 1---locatiions for many countries A late word on tomorrow's demonstrations! Millions of people across the world will take to the streets tomorrow to mark the International Day of Global Action for Kobanî, November 1, in solidarity with the resistance of Kurdish forces and people against ISIS barbarism targeting and destroying the values of humanity. Solidarity demonstrations have been planned all over the world on the Kobanî Global Action Day, to greet the resistance in Kobanî to the barbarism of the Middle Ages, from Argentina to India and from Equador to Italy. Prominent signatories of the appeal for urgent action for the besieged Kurdish town include Prof Noam Chomsky-US; Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1980-Argentina; Luisa Morgantini - Former Vice President of EP-Italy; Margaret Owen O.B.E, human rights lawyer-UK, Prof Michael Günter, EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC)-US; Peter Tatchell, Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation-UK; Fabio Amato, Foreign Representative of the PRC Party and Secretariat of the European Left-Italy; Nora Cortinas, Human rights activist, co-founder of the Mayo's Square Mothers-Argentina; Maria Augusta Calle, President of the Commission on Sovereignty and International Relations of the National Assembly-Ecuador. Academics, writers, lawyers, politicians and activists from political, social-justice and environmental movements from countries all around the world, including India, Ecuador, Croatia, Norway and the Basque Country, have also signed the call for international solidarity for the Kurdish resistance in Syria. Times and places of some of the rallies and demonstrations to take place to mark the International Day of Global Action for Kobanî tomorrow are as follows; GERMANY Stuttgart (Lautenschlager str.at 16:00) Nürnberg (Aufsessplatz, at 15:00) Frankfurt (Hauptbahnof, at 15:00) Berlin (Bahnof Adeneurplatz,at 14:00) Köln (Ebertplatz, at 14:00) Düsseldorf (Hauptbahnhof, at 14:00) Bielefeld (Rathaus, at 14:00) Hannover (Opern Platz,at 14:00) Bremen (Ziegenmarkt, at 14:00) Hamburg (Hachmann-platz,at 14:00) Leipzig (Rabat (Konradstrasse),at 14:00) Erfurt (Domplatz, at 13:00) Saarbrücken, (City centre, at 14:00) Marburg (Bahnofstrasse 6, at 14:00) Frieburg (Rathausplaz, at 16:00) Lübeck: Demonstrators will gather in front of the Hbf at 12:45 and leave for Hamburg from the 7th railway platform. ITALY Solidarity demonstrations will be staged at 19 separate points in Italy, which are; Bologna, Brescia, Cagliari, Catania, Firenze, Lecce, Messina, Milano, Napoli, Padova, Palermo, Ragusa, Reggio Calabria, Roma, Rovigo, Torino, Udine, Vicenza FRANCE The main one of the 9 demonstrations across France will take place in the capital Paris. Place and time of the rallies are; Caen (Caen place de la Republique 14000 Caen, at 11:00) Rennes (Dalle du Colombier 35000 Rennes, at 12:00) Paris (Place de la Bastille, 75011 Paris, at 14:00) Bordeaux (Place de la Victoire à Bordeaux, at 14:00) Marsilya (Haut de la Canebière, at 14:00) Strasbourg (Place Kléber à Strasbourg, at 14:00) Toulouse (Place du Capitole à Toulouse, at 14:00) Nantes (Place Royale à Nantes, at 16:00) Lille (Place De La Republique Lille à Lille, at 17:00) SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES Demos in solidarity with the Kobanî resistancewill also take place in 6 cities in Sweden, in Oslo and Bergen in Norway, in Copenhagen in Denmark, and in Helsinki in Finland. Uppsala: Vaksala Torg, at 13:00 Angered: Angereds Arena - Västra Götalands Län, at 14:00 Gävle: Söldermalmstorg, at 12:30 Malmö: Möllevångstorget, at 14:00 Göteborg: Götaplatsen, at 14:00 Stockholm: Humlegarden, at 13:00 Oslo: Youngstorget 6, at 13:30 Bergen: Torgallmenningen, at 15:00 FROM ENGLAND TO GREECE The Kobanî resistance will also be supported and saluted in Den Haag in Holland, in Bern, Basel and Zurich in Switzerland, in Brussels in Belgium, in Madrid in Spain, in Athens in Greece and in Vienna in Austria. BELGIUM Brussels: Gare du Nord, at 14:00 ENGLAND Manchester: All Saints Park, Oxford Road, at 13:00 London: Trafalgar Square, at 14:00 Cambridge: Gathering at Trumpington Road will start at 11:00 before the mass leaves for London Durham: Gala Theater& Cinema, Millenium Place, at 13:00 Leeds: To be announced SPAIN Madrid: Atocha, at 19:00 SWITZERLAND Zurich: Helevetiaplatz, at 15:00 AUSTRIA Salzburg: Resindenzplatz, 5020, at 14:00 Vienna:Stephansplatz 1. at 14:00 AFGHANISTAN AND INDIA Demonstrations in Herat, Farah, Nangarhar, Balkh, Takhar, Nimruz, Bamyan have been organized by the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan (SPA). Solidarity demos will also take place at 6 points in India. Millions for Kobanî will also take to the streets in Argentine, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Portuguese (Lizbon, Rossio, Lisboa), Venezuela, Chile and the U.S. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Washington: Lafayette Park, at 14:00 ARGENTINE Buenos Aires: el Obelisco, at 17:00 AUSTRALIA Adelaide: Gawler Place - Rundle Mall, Adelaide, 31 October, at 19:00 Sydney: Town Hall, 1 November at 14:00 ECUADOR Quito: UTC-05 – In front of the Turkish Consulate, at 17:30 HONDURAS Tegucigalpa: In front of the ONU office, 31October, at 10:00 BASQUE COUNTRY Bilbao: el Ayuntamiento, at 12:00 CANADA Vancouver: Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, at 13:00 Toronto: Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham, Toronto-Ontario, at 19:00 PORTUGUESE Lizbon: Rossio, at 14:00 CZECH REPUBLIC Prag: Námestí Republiky, In front of the Palladium Shopping Mall, at 14:00 WARSAW Town: In front of the University of Warsaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 News from the common-front struggle against ISIS and Rojava's revolution We have the following items from the anti-ISIS common front in Rojava, North Kurdistan and Turkey today and some news from Rojava's revolution as well. * 160 peshmerga fighters who were kept waiting at the Çukobirlik site near the Kobanê-Turkish border for the last three days have started to cross into Kobanê in support of the YPG (Rojava's People's Protection Units) resistance against the ISIS gangs. They crossed in good spirits, chanting slogans in favor of the Kurdish resistance against the ISIS gangs, and brought with them a military convoy of heavy weapons from South Kurdistan. Turkish Special operation teams, 8 armored vehicles and riot police teams were deployed and formed a blockade with their shields at the site in order to stop the press from covering the advance of the peshmerga forces. * The YPG Press Center has reported that attacks by the ISIS gangs on Kobanê have continued into the 46th day. The determined resistance by YPG/YPJ (People's/Women's Defense Forces) fighters and local people alongside of the Free Syrian Army (FSA)-affiliated Burkan Al Fırat forces also continues. ISIS gangs launched two separate attacks on the Kaniya Kurda region to the northeast of Kobanê yesterday evening and night but both attacks were turned back. Three ISIS gang members were killed in the fighting in this region. On Municipality Street YPG forces carried out a counter-attack on some areas occupied by the ISIS gangs. The YPG reported that ISIS gangs then attempted a car-bomb attack in order to hinder the attack by YPG forces. YPG fighters destroyed the car and killed 4 ISIS fighters in these clashes. According to the YPG statement, the southeastern front also saw violent clashes, but the exact number of casualties in this area couldn't be ascertained. YPG forces on the eastern front have started to carry out surveillance operations in the areas they took under control following clashes over the past two days. Protection Units seized large quantities of ammunition belonging to ISIS there. Seventeen ISIS fighters were killed in hand-to-hand fighting at the southern front last night. * Many villages at the northwestern Kurdistan border are being targeted by ISIS while they continue to attack Kobanê. One of the villages at the border that is frequently targeted by ISIS is the village of Zehwan. The village was previously targeted by an ISIS mortar attack that hit and destroyed the house of Mehmet Demir and by a rocket attack that destroyed the minaret of the village mosque. The ISIS gangs are now targeting the village opposite Zehwan, Kikan, where they have recently taken up positions. The villagers in Zehwan are not able to go out onto the streets safely because of gunfire directed by the gangs in Kikan. Many houses in the village have holes in the walls because of the gunfire. Despite the existence of a Turkish military outpost at the border near the village, and despite the fact that villagers complain about the attacks, Turkish soldiers remain indifferent to the ISIS attacks on the village. The villagers say that the gangs frequently open fire on Zehwan from Kikan, where the gangs have hung their flags, and that they no longer feel secure and have had to send their children away from the village. The villagers who want to look at Kobanê with binoculars are targeted by ISIS fighters in the buildings opposite the village. When a village resident reported an ISIS sniper attack that nearly killed him and a friend in his home the Turkish gendarme forces maintained an indifferent attitude and left the village after writing a report. The man said, “We are always anxious. There are soldiers at the border. But the soldiers are there only to prevent people from Rojava crossing the border. We told the authorities about the incident and officially complained about it. But we have heard nothing about it from the authorities.” * A delegation from Rojava's Afrin canton is in Ankara to hold meetings with the Turkish authorities in order to discuss the opening of a border gate between Turkey and Afrin as well developing neighborly relations. The delegation from the Afrin administration consists of the Afrin canton PM Hêvî Mistefa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Süleyman Cafer, deputy minister of Foreign affairs, Cihan Mihemmed and the Minister of the Economy, Ahmet Yusuf. The delegation is visiting Ankara on the invitation of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) and the Solidarity with Rojava Association. The delegation wishes to meet primarily the Turkish government and the Turkish authorities. The delegation will meet with a leader of the Confederation of Public Workers’ Unions (KESK). They will also meet with other popular organizations and will join the rally in solidarity with Kobanê tomorrow. The delegation will issue a statement about Afrin and Kobanê tomorrow after they attend the congress of the Human Rights Association. * The Movement of Language and Education (TZP) has distributed 4000 books to primary schools in Tirbespiyê city of Rojava's Cizîre Canton. The schools received the books for first, second, third and forth classes (grades). TZP leaders in Tirbespiyê said that in the coming days the fifth and sixth classes (grades) will also receive their books. * The People's Defense Forces Press Center (HPG-BIM) reported that HPG guerrillas and YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters had carried out a raid on a building where ISIS gangs were deployed yesterday. Five ISIS gang members were killed and one YBS fighter died in the action which was carried out with heavy weapons. * Free Syrian Army (FSA) commander Nizar al-Khatib told journalists in Istanbul yesterday that it was a mistake to send FSA forces to Kobane. “I am criticizing this decision because we need these forces in the other fronts in Aleppo. The situation is very critical in Aleppo right now, regime forces have been surrounding the city for some time,” he said. Perhaps 200 FSA troops entered Kobane on October 29 from Turkey as part of the common-front effort against ISIS. Some parts of the FSA have been fighting alongside of Rojava's People's Protection Units (YPG) against ISIS in Kobane since the beginning of the war, al-Khatib said. “There have been around 200 FSA fighters fighting against ISIL since the very beginning of the war in Kobane. Now, with the entrance of 200 more FSA fighters, this number has risen to 400. Right now, there are 2,000 fighters, including the YPG and Democratic Union Party’s (PYD) forces, fighting against ISIL there,” he added. “However, it was wrong to send more FSA forces to Kobane, we need our forces at the Aleppo front right now." Al-Khatib said that FSA fighters have been fighting mainly in the eastern neighborhoods of Kobane, adding that there was an operation room in Kobane where all groups were represented and commanders from each group were directing operations in coordination with coalition forces. Not all of the forces fighting in Kobane have received sophisticated weapons from coalition forces yet, he said, demanding more support. “Our fighters are still using light weapons against ISIL. We still need more support from the Friends of Syria countries, because ISIL terrorists have been bringing forces from other cities to Kobane,” he added. Al-Khatib also said the “Train-Equip” program that was to be organized by the Turkish government within Turkey for FSA forces had yet to start. “There is no agreement with the FSA on this issue yet. It hasn’t happened so far; the discussions have not been finalized yet,” he said. * Turkish President Erdoğan has said that he will use "Daesh," the Arabic acronym for ISIS, when referring to the terrorist organization from now on. The French government earlier announced its decision to use Daesh. “They are in an effort to show Islam as a (terrorist) organization. First of all, Islam is derived from the word ‘sin' which means peace. A religion which means peace cannot tolerate terrorism. Be careful, I am not using ISIL, I am using Daesh as they are a terrorist group,” Erdoğan said today as he spoke at the French Institute of Foreign Relations in Paris. "This is a terrorist group and not a state. I do not recommend using the term Islamic State because it blurs the lines between Islam, Muslims, and Islamists," France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement last month. Erdoğan said that what is happening in Kobani is just a small part of the tragedy in Syria and that it is being "exploited.” “Is there oil, gold or diamond in Kobani? Why Kobani? We have to focus on this," Erdoğan said. “The coalition forces who are today bombing Kobani, I am speaking frankly as you have to be cruel to be kind, they did not raise their voice while Hama was bombed. They did not raise voice when Homs was bombed. Why did they take Kobani, which borders Turkey, into a strategic position? What kind of a strategic importance does Kobani have for them?” Erdoğan said. Erdoğan also complained that had Iran and Turkey cooperated on Syria, the situation in Syria would have been different and western countries would not have played a role in efforts to solve the crisis in Syria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 The YPG Press Centre has issued a statement on the 48th day of the resistance in Kobane reporting that 43 ISIS members were killed in clashes of last 24 hours. The YPG has provided detailed information regarding the clashes that intensified in the northwest of Kobane, in Municipality Street and Azadi Square of the town. YPG also reported that YPG and peshmerga forces jointly launched an operation targeting the ISIS gangs with rockets. YPG said while the attacks of the ISIS gangs were repulsed, gangs suffered heavy losses in the counter attacks launched by YPG forces. YPG said their forces launched operations against the positions of the gangs in the Kaniya Kurda area to the northwest of the town. YPG said: “As far as ascertained, 14 gang members were killed in the operation. Our forces seized 2 heavy machine guns, 1 rocket, 1 AK 47 and a large amount of ammunition belonging to these weapons. Our forces also seized the bodies of 3 gang members”. Noting that intense clashes took place on Saturday night in the Municipality Street and Azadi Square, YPG said 7 gang members were killed in these clashes. YPG further said YPG forces launched an operation on the southern front yesterday evening and added: “As far as ascertained, 15 gang members were killed in the attack. Following this attack, close-range battles took place leaving 7 more ISIS members dead. YPG also said that they carried out a well coordinated attack together with the peshmerga forces that crossed into Kobane. “The peshmerga forces that joined the resistance in Kobane and our forces launched a coordinated attack. The attack was launched on the position of the gangs around the town with Katyusha rockets. No information has yet been obtained regarding the result of the attack”, said the YPG Press Centre. The YPG Press Centre has issued a statement on the 48th day of the Kobanê resistance, saying that in the last 24 hours 43 gang members have been killed. The statement also said that the YPG and peshmerga had carried out a coordinated attack on the gangs using Katyusha rockets. The YPG Press Centre provided information regarding clashes that have taken place on the north western front in Kobanê, in Municipality street, in Azadi Square and on the southern front, adding “Persistent gang attacks have been repulsed, and heavy losses inflicted on them in counter attacks.” YPG forces are reported to have attacked certain points occupied by the gangs in the Kaniya Kurds area to the northwest of Kobanê. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Typical of western media's myopia, instead of considering the implications of women taking up arms in what is essentially a patriarchal society - especially against a group that rapes and sells women as sex-slaves - even fashion magazines appropriate the struggle of Kurdish women for their own sensationalist purposes. Reporters often pick the most "attractive" fighters for interviews and exoticise them as "badass" Amazons. A young Kurdish woman called "Rehana" has garnered a great deal of media attention over the past few days, after reports emerged claiming that she had killed more than a hundred ISIL fighters - single-handedly. A picture of the smiling beauty, wearing combat gear and toting a rifle, is still making the rounds of social media. Even as Rehana's circumstances remain uncorroborated, the overabundance of attention she has received raises several important questions. It adds to the plethora of reports out there glamorising the all-female Kurdish battalions taking on ISIL fighters, with little attention to the politics of these brave women. Preoccupied with attempts to sensationalise the ways in which these women defy preconceived notions of eastern women as oppressed victims, these mainstream caricaturisations erroneously present Kurdish women fighters as a novel phenomenon. They cheapen a legitimate struggle by projecting their bizarre orientalist fantasies on it - and oversimplify the reasons motivating Kurdish women to join the fight. Nowadays, it seems to be appealing to portray women as sympathetic enemies of ISIL without raising questions about their ideologies and political aims. At the same time, critics have accused the Kurdish leadership of exploiting these women for PR purposes - in an attempt to win over western public opinion. While there may be an element of truth to such charges in some cases, those same critics fail to appreciate the different political cultures that exist among the Kurdish people as a whole, scattered across Syria, Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. They also ignore the fact that Kurdish women have been engaging in armed resistance for decades without anyone's notice. 'Badass' Amazons Typical of western media's myopia, instead of considering the implications of women taking up arms in what is essentially a patriarchal society - especially against a group that rapes and sells women as sex-slaves - even fashion magazines appropriate the struggle of Kurdish women for their own sensationalist purposes. Reporters often pick the most "attractive" fighters for interviews and exoticise them as "badass" Amazons. The truth is, no matter how fascinating it is - from an orientalist perspective - to discover a women's revolution among Kurds, my generation grew up recognising women fighters as a natural element of our identity. Although there is still a long way to go, what some now ignorantly call "tokenism", has in fact shaped the consciousness of millions of Kurds. Currently, apart from the fight against ISIL and the Assad-regime in Syria, Kurdish women also struggle against regimes they consider oppressive, such as Turkey and Iran. There are many examples of women as warriors or leaders in Kurdish history. For instance, in the late 19th century, Kara Fatma led a battalion of almost 700 men in the Ottoman Empire and managed to insert 43 women into the army ranks - very unusual for the period. In 1974, Leyla Qasim, at the age of 22, became the first woman to be executed by the Iraqi Baath party for her involvement in the Kurdish student movement. Despite this legacy, it would be a stretch to call Kurdish society gender-equal, considering the prevalence of male-dominated rule and violence. The People's Defence Forces (YPG) in Syria and the Women's Defence Units (YPJ) from Syrian Kurdistan have been fighting ISIL for two years and now lead an epic resistance in the northern Syrian town of Kobane. An estimated35 percent - around 15,000 fighters - are women . Founded in 2013 as an autonomous women's army, the YPJ conducts independent operations. There are several hundred women's battalions across Syria's Kurdistan region. Meysa Abdo is the woman commanding the resistance in Kobane and hundreds of women have died fighting ISIL. Parallel to the existential fight against ISIL, women in the Syrian Kurdistan region, including Arabs, Assyrians, Turkmen, and Armenians, lead a social revolution against society's patriarchal order through gender-egalitarian governance and a grassroots-feminist movement. Real fighters The YPG/YPJ fighters are closely linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). This guerrilla organisation is one of the strongest forces against ISIL, but due to hostilities with Turkey, it is classified as a "terrorist organisation". Little known is the fact that almost half of the PKK ranks consist of women . The movement explicitly commits to women's liberation and enforces quotas, as well as "co-presidency" on all levels - one woman and one man share the chair. These policies were adopted by the Syrian Kurdistan administration and Kurdish parties in Turkey and Iran. Influenced by the PKK's feminist stance, the majority of women in the Turkish parliament and municipal administrations are Kurdish. Together with the YPG/YPJ, PKK units were key to creating a safety corridor to rescue the Yazidis in the Sinjar Mountains in August. Some PKK women died defending Makhmour in Iraqi Kurdistan, alongside male Peshmerga fighters. In Iraqi Kurdistan, several hundred make-up the all female battalion of the Peshmerga . Many of them complain that they are not deployed at the front. In the 1970s-80s, during the armed resistance against the regime of Saddam Hussein, Kurdish women took up arms alongside their husbands and even assumed noms de guerre . Today, Iraqi Kurds enjoy a degree of autonomy and rights. Unlike the older generations, almost none of the women currently enlisted have actual combat experience and are often in charge of logistics instead. The feudal-patriarchal culture of the two dominant parties in northern Iraq is less permissible of women's participation in war. Culture of resistance If there is a strong women's movement among Kurds beyond the battlefield today, it has more to do with left-wing politics and the culture of resistance. Those who see the Kurdish women's fight as PR either treat all Kurdish parties as one homogeneous group or ignore the social revolution that preceded the armed struggle, which gave Kurdish women a reputation as important political actors and equal decision-makers. After all, Kurdish women have been fighting this cause with little media attention for decades. In fact, the mass-mobilisation of women in Kobane is the legacy of decades-long resistance of Kurdish women as fighters, prisoners, politicians, leaders of popular uprisings and tireless protesters, unwilling to compromise on their rights. Lastly, it does not help Kurdish women to be glorified as enemies of ISIL, if their entire political struggle is not supported. Western media's white-washing of the Kurdish women's resistance sanitises a radical struggle in such a way as to suit the perceptions of a western audience. Rather than challenging the awkward fact that the movement that the vast majority of women fighting ISIL belong to is labelled as a terrorist organisation - by Turkey, the EU, and the US - they conveniently leave it out. Appreciation for these women should not only praise their fight against ISIL, but it should also recognise their politics. Those seeking to honour the bravest enemies of ISIL can begin by actively supporting the resistance in Kobane, remove the PKK from the terror list, and officially recognise the Syrian Kurdistan administration. This article was first published on Al Jazeera with the title “Western fascination with ‘badass’ Kurdish women.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Bayık: No solution without the Kurds in the Middle East ANF - VIENNA 03.11.2014 14:30:30 KCK Executive Council Co-President Cemil Bayık spoke to Michael Völker from the leading Austrian newspaper, Der Standard, about the resistance in Kobanê. Cemil Bayık said the struggle against ISIS has propelled the Kurdish question onto the international stage, adding: “The Kurds are a key force in the Middle East. If the Kurds do not take part, or are not included, problems in the Middle East cannot be resolved. In order for the Middle East to be reshaped there needs to be a resolution of the Kurdish question.” Bayık said the conflict in Kobanê had intensified due to Turkish support for the ISIS gangs. He said Turkish special forces were working with the ISIS terrorists, adding: “There is now an autonomous region in South Kurdistan and there is Rojava. Then there is Turkey and it must recognise a status for the Kurds, but instead of doing this it is trying to prevent this and destroy the institutions developed in Rojava by using ISIS. Turkey wants to strengthen its influence in the Middle East by using ISIS and sacrificing the Kurds in the process.” Bayık continued: “Everyone thought Kobanê would fall in a week and that the Kurds would be driven out and slaughtered, but it didn’t happen. The resistance is strong. We will not abandon Kobanê!” The resistance and international pressure was effective in Turkey’s change of tactics Bayık responded to the Der Standard reporter’s comment that, ‘Turkey allowed the peshmerga to cross into Kobanê,’ saying that both the resistance in Kobanê and international pressure had resulted in a change of tactics. Bayık added that at the beginning Erdoğan had wanted the international coalition to wage a struggle against the YPG and PKK as well as against ISIS, but that the Americans had not accepted this and supported the YPG, resulting in a change in Turkey’s tactics. Arms aid a defeat for Turkish diplomacy Cemil Bayık recalled that the US had sent arms to the YPG forces, signifying a defeat for Turkish diplomacy. He added: “There are great differences between the aims of the US and Europe and those of Turkey. While the West wants to combat ISIS, Turkey is supporting it against the Kurds.” We greet the peshmerga’s support Bayık said Turkey had seen that with the attacks on Kobanê, the Kurds had got stronger and was hoping that problems would emerge with the presence of the peshmerga in Kobanê, adding that there was no problem of confidence regarding the peshmerga: “our forces have fought side by side on many fronts, which has created a positive feeling amongst our people. We therefore greet the peshmerga support for the resistance in Kobanê.” Bayık added that ISIS had benefited the Kurds in that it had brought them closer together and that Turkish attempts to use the peshmerga against the YPG would not work. To sell women is to sell humanity Cemil Bayık said ISIS was an inhuman organisation, condemning its selling of women. Bayık continued, saying: “In Kobanê we are waging a struggle for humanity. ISIS is anti-humanity and anti-women. To sell women is to sell humanity. To enslave women is to enslave humanity.” Bayık added that ISIS was not just occupying certain areas, but also carrying out ethnic cleansing, as it did to the Yezidi Kurds in Sinjar and the Christians around Mosul. He said they were attempting the same thing in Kobanê. Bayık stressed that: “We will not allow this to happen. The fate of Kobanê will also be the fate of ISIS, but we should not forget that Turkey opened the gates to Kobanê for ISIS.” Erdoğan’s policy taking Turkey towards isolation and civil war Cemil Bayık said the resolution process in North Kurdistan could not be taken separately from Kobanê, adding that it would be naïve to expect the AKP, which supports ISIS, to develop a peace policy. Bayık said: “The Kurds have risen up in all regions. This resistance is a struggle for humanity, fraternity and multi-culturalism. Erdoğan’s policy is taking Turkey towards isolation and civil war.” Bayık stressed that Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan was keeping the peace process on track by his unilateral efforts, despite all adversity. He added that the AKP was making empty promises, trying to gain time in order to destroy the PKK. “Turkey is intolerant of resistance. It is responding harshly to criticism from journalists and popular protest. And the AKP is attempting to take over the entire state apparatus,” he said. There is a limit to unilateral efforts Bayık said that the process of resolution was at a critical stage, and that Turkey was not ready to take the necessary steps. He warned that while they did not intend to fight Turkey again, “there is a limit to unilateral efforts”. He added that if attacks on the people continued, the guerrillas would take action, saying that the world knew that they wanted a peaceful solution after they declared a ceasefire at Newroz in 2013. “If Turkey leaves us with no alternative we will defend ourselves,” said Bayık, who added that to wait too long while Turkey played a delaying game would be ‘surrender’, something they could not accept. Bayık said: “In Kobanê a new freedom movement is emerging and the Kurds are uniting in support of this city. This is having an influence on the international community and public opinion, and is also a rebellion against Turkey.” Bayık added that, at a time when the removal of the PKK from the list of terrorist organisations was being seriously discussed, they wanted a peaceful solution. “The war went on for years and neither Turkey nor us achieved what we wanted. This is why steps must be taken now towards a peaceful solution,” he added. Cemil Bayık added that they wanted a third party to monitor the process: ”It could be the US or an international delegation. There is a need for mediators and observers,” he said. Problems in the Middle East cannot be resolved without the Kurds On being reminded of the growing international support for the Kurds and on being asked whether this would contribute to the process of resolution, Cemil Bayık said the Kurdish question was also an international question and concluded by saying: “We believe that this war has corrected the image of the PKK. The PKK will be part of the resolution of this question. The Kurds are a key force in the Middle East. Thanks to a great degree to the PKK, the Kurds have over time become organised. If the Kurds do not take part, or are not included, problems in the Middle East cannot be resolved. In order for the Middle East to be reshaped there needs to be a resolution of the Kurdish question.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Monday, November 3, 2014 Some news from the common-front struggle against ISIS/Daesh today We have this news from the common-front struggle against ISIS/Daesh today. * A joint operation was launched against ISIS/ Daesh forces by Rojava’s People’s/Women’s Defense Forces (YPG/YPJ), Burkan Al Fırat fighters and peshmerga forces from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG, or the Federal Republic, so-called “Iraqi Kurdistan”) today. The operation is being carried out to the west of embattled Kobanê at this time. The operation involves the use of heavy weapons by the liberation forces and is hitting ISIS positions in some villages to the west of Kobanê. YPG commanders are coordinating the counter-attack. YPG/YPJ fighters launched the offensive, peshmerga have started attacking ISIS/Daesh with heavy weapons and missiles and the Burkan Al Fırat joint operation center is also providing fighters and support. YPG/YPJ fighters are also continuing with their counter-attack actions on the eastern and southern fronts of Kobanê. Fighting is also going on on the western front outside of the town. Three ISIS/Daesh emirs (commanders) have been killed on the eastern front. YPG forces there also destroyed 2 ISIS vehicles. Twelve other ISIS fighters were also killed here. * The People's Defense Forces Press Center (HPG-BIM) has released a statement providing details about a joint operation of the HPG and YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) carried out against the ISIS gangs deployed in the Solak area to the east of Mount Sinjar on Saturday. The HPG-BIM said that a number of ISIS gang members were killed or wounded and large quantities of ammunition belonging to them were seized in the offensive. Munitions seized by HPG and YBS forces include a rocket launcher made by the ISIS gangs, mortar shells, missiles, hundreds of arms, hand grenades and mines. * ISIS/Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has issued a statement in which he ordered his followers to burn the bodies of Peshmerga fighters in revenge for their support of Kurdish fighters in Kobanê. On Sunday, the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights announced that the leader of the ISIS/Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi issued a statement in which he ordered his followers to burn the bodies of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters who fought in Kobanê while also condemning the Albu Nimr tribe. At least 322 members of the tribe have been executed by ISIS murderers in the district of Hit. Posted by Urun Harvest at 1:53 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest At least 14,555 workers have died on the job since Turkey's ruling party took power Today marks 12 years of rule by Turkey’s reactionary Justice and Development Party (AKP). Our friends at bianet have reminded us that in this time at least 14,555 workers have died on the job. According to a report by the Worker Health and Occupational Security Assembly that covered the past 3 years and the rest by Turkey’s Social Security Institution (SGK), the distribution of worker casualties per year was as follows: 146 workers in the last 2 months of 2002, 811 workers in 2003, 843 workers in 2004, 1096 in 2005, 1601 workers in 2006, 1044 workers in 2007, 866 workers in 2008, 1171 workers in 2009, 1454 workers in 2010, 1710 workers in 2011, 878 workers in 2012, 1235 workers in 2013 and 1600 workers in the first 10 months of 2014. According to a report by the Worker Health and Occupational Security Assembly, at least 160 workers died on the job in October 2014. Twenty-seven of these murdered workers were women, 4 were children and 3 were immigrants. The agriculture and forestry sectors are especially dangerous for workers, but most workplace fatalities are in traffic or shuttle service accidents. The report comes out as efforts are being made to pull out the bodies of 18 coal miners trapped in a mine in Karaman. A late report tells us that our projection on this blog that the water that flooded this mine came from abandoned workings f another mine were correct. On Saturday rescue workers found the bodies of two Chinese miners, Maoshun Yang (38) and Shouje Sun (37), who was killed in a mine collapse in Bartın, and another miner, Mustafa Turan, was killed at a mine in the Kilimli district of Zonguldak. The Chinese miners worked for Hattat Holding which contracted with four Chinese companies. About 220 Chinese miners work at this mine. One Chinese worker was killed and another injured in a mine collapse on September 19 at the Bartın mine. “Unfortunately such an accident took place. These [accidents] are in the nature of this occupation, just like our president has previously said,” said Hattat Holding’s Chairman Mehmet Hattat after the previous accident, repeating President Erdoğan’s statements on the massacre of 301 miners in a coal mine in the Soma district of Manisa on May 13 disaster. The AKP takes credit for Turkey's rising middle class. There may be some truth to this, although the growth and strength of the middle class seems to have hit a wall in Turkey over the past 3 years. Be that as it may, the price paid for this growth is quite steep when we look at the numbers of workers killed on the job. Republic Day was quietly marked this year because of the Karaman mine tragedy on that day. Someone commented that Turkey is the republic of dead workers. Posted by Urun Harvest at 1:14 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest YPG and YPJ commanders promise victory to the millions of people supporting them Kobanê YPG and YPJ (Rojavva's People's and Women's Defense Forces) commanders Mahmud Berxwedan and Roza Kobanê greeted those who participated in “World Kobanê Day” on Saturday, saying "We promise the millions of people who came out and on to the streets victory.”Kobanê YPG commander Mahmud Berxwedan said that the worldwide rallies for Kobanê that took place on November 1 had given them a morale boost, and that this day had emerged as a result of the resistance of the YPG and YPJ. Berxwedan drew attention in particular to the solidarity rallies that took place in 7 provinces of Afghanistan, where there is pressure from radical Islamist groups, and that this was proof that ISIS had begun to splinter.YPJ commander Roza Kobanê greeted all the women who participated in World Kobanê Day, adding, “We promise all the women of the world that our women’s freedom struggle will continue.” Roza Kobanê said, “People came out on to the streets all over the world to protest against ISIS terrorism. Our heroes who have resisted and have fallen in Kobanê created this, and have become a symbol of human values all over the world. We send our appreciation and regards to all the protesters.”Mahmud Berxwedan mentioned the actions in Afghanistan, saying, “Afghanistan is a center of Al Qaida and radical Islam, therefore for there to be such demonstrations against ISIS is proof that ISIS will fall apart.”Mahmud Berxwedan promised everyone who took part in the November 1 rallies a victory in Kobanê, adding, "Prepare to celebrate victory." Mahmud Berxwedan said that they are inching their way to victory, calling on all young women and men who have left Kobanê to return and participate in the process of victory.YPJ commander Roza Kobanê, recalling that women had played a leading role in World Kobanê Day, said that the ISIS gangs targeted women in particular, and that the resistance in Kobanê had developed under the leadership of women. She greeted all women who took part in the Kobanê Day demonstrations, adding, “We promise as the YPJ that we will step up our resistance that represents all the women of the world.”Roza Kobanê concluded by calling on all women to maintain and extend their support for the Kobanê resistance. Posted by Urun Harvest at 9:34 AM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Two British trade unions back the Kobanî resistance Two UK trade unions have issued statements in support of the Kurdish resistance in Kobanî. Unite – the UK’s biggest trade union – has called for “support and solidarity to the people of Kobanî who have been in a relentless battle over the past month to protect their city, their human rights and secular society.” The unon statement commends the “bravery shown by the Kurds in Kobanî in defense of the entire community” and condemns the Turkish government for “putting its own nationalist politics ahead of the Kurdish people.” The Executive Council of the UK's Fire Brigade’s Union (FBU) has also issued a statement calling for “international trade union solidarity and support for the defenders of Kobanî.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Repression in Turkey today With the stabbing of People’s Democracy Party (HDP) leader Ahmet Karataş today we are once more picking up the thread of tracing repression in Turkey. We post frequently about this. Today we have these items to report. * Kurdish students opened a stand in front of the Literature Faculty at Aegean University in Izmir as part of a signature campaign launched for the freedom of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan. Turkish police and special security personnel attacked stand and clashes broke out between police and students. The fighting is continuing. * Eight people have been taken into custody for alleged involvement in the conflict that erupted following the November 1 rally for Kobanê in Amed/Diyarbakir. Police had detained 11 people in a large-scale house-raid operation after the mass International Day of Global Action for Kobanê demonstration on November 1. The people who were detained were later referred to court with a demanded that they be arrested for participating in unlawful demonstrations.Three young people who were among those arrested have been given a supervised release while 8 other people have been arrested for participating in unlawful demonstrations and breaking the law on meetings and demonstrations. Five people were also taken into custody in the Malazgirt district of Muş for taking part in demonstrations protesting against attacks on Kobanê. One of those detained was released while the other are still being held in custody. * People’s Democratic Party (HDP) vice co-chair Meral Danış Bektaş, Confederation of Public Workers’ Unions (KESK) leader Lami Özgen, and Human Rights Association (IHD) leader Öztürk Türkdoğan went to the HDP Ankara Provincial Branch office where HDP Assembly member Ahmet Karataş was seriously wounded in an attack today in order to assess the incident at the scene. Meral Danış Bektaş said that the evidence to find and arrest the attacker is present, adding that in some cases evidence is removed and that they will not allow that to happen this time. She said that Karataş had been stabbed seven times and was in a serious condition. Meral Danış Bektaş said,”Just yesterday, the President said ‘We do not want to think about the consequences.’ Is this what he meant by consequences? Those who provided the basis for this attack know themselves very well.” * HDP Amed/Diyarkair MP Nursel Aydoğan has criticized the treatment of the YPG (Rojava’s heroic People’s defense Forces) as a terrorist organization, asking Justice Minister Bozdağ what the legal basis for calling an organization fighting ISIS in Rojava a terror organization is and using that as the grounds for a criminal prosecution. HDP Amed MP Nursel Aydoğan has put down a written question asking for a reply from Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ regarding a recent case where a civilian by the name of İsmail Sadık was wounded in Rojava last year and brought to Mardin for treatment. He was arrested in Mardin on November 8, 2013 on the grounds of being a member of the YPG, and, despite the YPG not being on a terror list, was recently sentenced to seven-and-one-half years in prison for “membership of an armed terror organization.” Nursel Aydoğan said, "This first judgment in a Turkish court relating to the YPG, which is not on any list of ‘terrorist organizations’, is a reflection of Turkey’s foreign policy towards Rojava where the YPG is fighting a war for humanity against ISIS.” She asked Bozdağ the legal basis for calling an organization known all over the world as the YPG, which is fighting ISIS in Rojava, a ‘terror organization’ and using it as the grounds for a criminal prosecution. Nursel Aydoğan also asked the following questions: "Is the conviction of İsmail Sadık at the first hearing without any collection of evidence a reflection of Turkish foreign policy towards Rojava? If not, what is the reason for İsmail Sadık being remanded in custody for being a YPG member when the YPG is not on any list of terrorist organizations? Al Nusra and affiliated terrorist organizations have been removed from Turkey’s lists of terrorist organizations, while ISIS is known to be at the bottom of the list. In this context, how many people have been prosecuted in the last two years for alleged links with ISIS? And how many people have subsequently been remanded in custody? How many people have been convicted of links with ISIS?” Posted by Urun Harvest at 4:24 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest DİHA article proves that the barbarity of ISIS continues: document sets prices for Êzidî and Christian slaves A document issued by the ISIS gangs mentions the prices set by the terrorist group to sell Êzidî (Yazidi) and Christian women and children abducted by its members.While international silence is going on towards the Êzidî and Christian slaves abducted by inhumane ISIS gangs, the barbarity of ISIS is also going on at the same time. According to a document “The market to sell women and spoils of war has been experiencing a significant decrease, which has adversely affected ISIS revenue and financing of the Mujahideen” ISIS decided to impose price controls over the "sale of women and spoils," vowing to execute whoever violates those controls, which are as follows:A (Êzidî or Christian) woman, aged 40 to 50 years, is for 50,000 dinars.The rate of a (Êzidî or Christian) woman, aged 30 to 40 years, is 75,000 dinars.The rate for a (Êzidî or Christian) woman, aged 20 to 30 years, is 100,000 dinars.A (Êzidî or Christian) girl, aged 10 to 20 years, is for 150,000 dinars.A (Êzidî or Christian) child’s price, aged 1 to 9 years, is 200,000 dinars.According to the document, it is not authorized for any individual to purchase more than 3 "spoils"; except for foreigners like Turks, Syrians and Gulf Arabs. Posted by Urun Harvest at 3:34 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest The Kobanê Resistance Gaining Ground The following report was compiled by Ersin Çaksu and Denis Osoy and appeared today in Özgür Gündem. We got this translation from our friends at The Rojava Report. The YPG/YPJ launched a common operation together with Peshmerga and Burkan El Firat forces against ISIS fighters deployed in villages along Kobanê’s western front. As YPG/YPJ launched the operation, which was carried out under the auspices of the YPG high command, the Peshmerga also attacked from their positions with Dushka heavy-machine guns and Katyusha rockets. The operational headquarters of Burkan El Firat also supported the operation. YPG/YPJ fighters also continued their actions on Kobanê’s eastern and southern fronts. As city fighting continues on these two fronts, fighting on the western front remains outside of the city center. YPG/YPJ fighters also carried out effective actions along the Izahe ridge and around the villages of Pêndir, Sûsanê and Siftek in which many ISIS fighters were killed. Turkish Army Blocks Access To the Press Members of the press attempting to document the operations along the western front were obstructed by Turkish soldiers. The soldiers did not allow journalists who wanted to watch the operation on Tilşeîr hill from the village of Boydê in the Pirsûs (Suruç) district and drove them away from the border. 21 ISIS Members Killed The YPG Press center announced that heavy fighting had taken place on all three fronts around Kobanê. They announced that from Sunday afternoon until today at least 28 ISIS members, including 3 commanders, had been killed and the gangs had been pushed back following violent and close-quarter fighting in many places. 4 YPG fighters and 2 Burkan El Firat fighters were also reported to have lost their lives in the fighting. Meanwhile it was also reported than an operation launched by the YPG and Şengal Defense Forces (YBŞ) around the Solak to the east of Şengal (Sinjar) mountain succeeded in capturing a large amount of military equipment and ammunition. ISIS Again Attacking Civilians Along Border ISIS, which is suffering many blows in Kobanê, has once again started to attack civilians. A resident of Kobanê named Necip Reşad Seydî was killed by ISIS fighters as he waited by his car in the no-mans region along the border near the village of Siwêdê in Pirsûs. Seydî was 32 years old. The district of governor of Suruç Abdullah Çiftçi called HDP MP İbrahim Ayhan to inform him that Seydî’s body was in the Karaca Hudut military base. As a car was sent to retrieve his body it was learned that no clashes had been taking place in the area and that ISIS fighters had intentionally opened fire and killed Seydî. Seydî Was Left To Die According to eyewitnesses Seydî – who was from the village of Jibilfereç in Kobanê- was shot in the calf by ISIS fighters as he walked over to his car. The witnesses that Turkish soldiers did not allow those present to help Seydî for two hours, and brought his body to the military base only after he died due to loss of blood. We Are Advancing YPG fighters on Kobanê’s eastern front, where street-to-street fighting is ongoing, reported that their moral was high and that they had struck many blows against ISIS over the past couple of days. They also reported that they were advancing. A YPG sniper named Sidar said, “One needs to be on the trigger all the time. Fighting can break out day or night. We are also in our positions. The urban conflict the course of the battle does not change over days but over hours. Our resistance goes on like this.” Another YPG sniper named Dilxweş said “ the battle is Kobanê is being waged for all Kurds. We will not abandon it.” The Course Of The Battle Is Going Well A 42 year old resistance fighter named Doxan Amed said “I came following the call made by leader Apo to mobilize for Kobanê. Our morale is good. Now the course of the battle is going better. At first there were some dangers but over recent days they have been forced to pull back and we are moving forward.” The Struggle Recognizes No Obstacles! A fighter named Birûsk who is missing one hand and positioned in one of the most forward positions said, “that I am missing a hand is not an obstacle to struggle. While my friends are resting on the front my hand cannot be an obstacle for me. I am like them. In the face of these attacks we will not take a step back and we will resist. We will walk along the road shown to us by the memory of our martyrs and the philosophy of Leader Apo until our last drop of blood.” Posted by Urun Harvest at 3:27 PM No comments: Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Voices from the resistance in Kobanê and Mount Sinjar---and the stupidity of the Nationalist Movement Party In our list of items today we are placing two important items about Yezidis in Sinjar and the military situation in Kobanê as well as our regaular daily updates. * Burkan Al Firat forces launched an operation against the ISIS gangs last night on the western front of Kobanê which left dozens of ISIS/DAESH fighters dead. This operation moved into the villages of Erbûş, Menazê and Elî Bilor, with the heroic People’s Defense Forces (YPG) joining the fighting and peshmerga forces providing heavy weapons support. Sporadic clashes also took place through the night between the heroic People’s Defense Forces (YPG) forces and the ISIS gangs on the eastern and southern fronts of Kobanê. ISIS/DAESH forces are now targeting civilians in the town with mortars and sniper attacks. Clashes on the eastern and southern fronts are underway as we write. * The YPG Press Center said in a statement today that 2 villages and several hamlets in west Serêkaniyê have been liberated from the ISIS/DAESH gangs. YPG forces carried out an action targeting the gangs deployed at two separate points between the villages of Arca Şexan and Sutûk in Jazaa latelast night. Fifteen ISIS/DAESH fighters were killed and 6 others wounded in the action, while a motorbike and a heavy weapon belonging to ISIS/DAESH were also destroyed. * Sait Hasan Sait, from the Yezidi Free Democratic Movement, has said that there is an urgent need for a humanitarian corridor to be opened for more than 10,00 Yezidis still stranded on Mount Sinjar. Mount Sinjar is a mountain rising out of a plain and is surrounded on all sides by ISIS gangs. For more than a month now the 10,000 Yezidi Kurdsthere have largely been cut off from the outside world and have only been able to make contact by means of communication technology. There is no safe way through the forces surrounding forces and no aid has been sent by air recently. Rojava provided aid when a corridor was open. Firat News asked Sait Hasan Sait, from the Yezidi Free Democratic Movement (TEVDA) about the latest situation in Sinjar. You are on Mount Sinjar. How many families are sheltering there, what are conditions like and what needs do they have? The people who are here wanted to stay as they want to protect the Yezidi faith and culture. Sinjar is a sacred place for the Yezidi people. We see their staying here as a most profound act. As TEVDA we are distributing aid and holding meetings with the people. There are 1,446 families registered with us. There are between ten and twelve thousand people on Mount Sinjar, trying to survive harsh winter weather. They need tents, winter clothes, shoes and fuel in order to keep warm. How has TEVDA assisted the Yezidis on Mount Sinjar? TEVDA is doing what it can to support the people here. We have made tents and distributed food.We have also established commissions in every camp. Institutions in Rojava are also helping us. This was certainly the case when the corridor was open, as aid was only received from Rojava. How are people surviving the harsh winter conditions? When people have a will to survive they can overcome all hardship. This year winter has come early to Mount Sinjar. There has been a lot of rain. 85% of the families here have no tent. Half of the children have no shoes. Has any organization apart from TEVDA provided assistance? Aid has only come from Rojava. Assistance collected by the Kurdish people has reached us by means of institutions in Rojava. Apart from that we have received a small amount of aid from the Federal Kurdistan government. How important is it for the people here to have a corridor opened? The Baghdad government in particular, and the Federal Kurdistan government have a responsibility to the people who are resisting here. It is therefore very important that a corridor be opened. An air bridge could be opened by the use of helicopters. The Yezidi people of Sinjar are Iraqi citizens, but the Baghdad government is not doing anything for them. In this case the state’s legitimacy comes into question. An air bridge is urgently needed. Is there anything you would like to add? As I've said, we have an urgent need for an aerial corridor. Apart from that many people have been slaughtered and women sold as slaves. This has all been done in the name of Islam. Muslim leaders should condemn this brutality. The ISIS gangs are causing harm to the religion of Islam. * YPG Commander Mahmud Berxwedan has said that after the peshmerga forces crossed into Kobanê they have acted as a single army, rather than in coordination. He added: “The peshmerga are endeavoring to carry out what is asked of them in a self-sacrificing way.” Mahmud Berxwedan said that the peshmerga have carried out effective strikes against the ISIS/DAESH gangs with the heavy weaponry they had brought with them. Mahmud Berxwedan said that since the end of October the initiative has passed to the YPG forces and answered questions from the ANF regarding the arrival of the peshmerga, the situation of civilians and the latest state of the conflict. What kind of coordination has there been between the peshmerga forces and yourselves after the peshmerga forces came to Kobanê? We were delighted to welcome a Kurdish force to Kobanê. It has created national feeling throughout Kurdistan. Relationships have developed positively. They told us they were prepared for all manner of plan and operation. They have heavy weaponry and are using these weapons effectively. We are acting more like a single army than as two forces acting in a coordinated way. The peshmerga are endeavoring to carry out what is asked of them in a self-sacrificing way. The Turkish media claims that ‘Some peshmerga have deserted’ but this is a slur and part of psychological warfare. We are fighting side by side with the peshmerga. They are determined and say they are ready to bring more personnel and weaponry if needed. Have there been changes in the situation in the conflict since the arrival of the peshmerga? We have begun to see the effect of their heavy weaponry outside of the town, rather than inside it. They have had a psychological effect on the enemy. Wherever they are asked they use these weapons and we would like to thank them once again. Can we say that the initiative now rests with the YPG forces? Since the beginning of the month the initiative has been with us. The gangs are constantly bringing in reinforcements from Rakka and other areas and even from outside Syria. In the last week alone hundreds of them have been killed, more than since the beginning of the attacks. The peshmerga’s heavy weaponry has made a significant contribution to our gaining the initiative.” What is the situation like for civilians in Kobanê? Of course it is not good, they are living in a war environment. Every day there are explosions. ISIS attacks civilians on a daily basis. We are now in winter and there is no electricity or water and they are living in tents. Today on the western front you launched a joint operation against ISIS gangs with the FSA and peshmerga. Is this operation continuing? This operation was carried out by the Defense Units consisting of the FSA, peshmerga and YPG and continued until the morning. Serious blows were inflicted on the ISIS gangs in the village of Merza Erbuşan. Many gang members were killed. This was the first joint action carried out together with the FSA and peshmerga and these operations will continue.” Finally, what would you like to say? I would like to respond to certain baseless allegations. There are no problems between the YPG and the FSA. Claims that we don’t want the FSA here are untrue. It is not true that we are opposed to Abduljabbar Egidi's forces being here. These allegations are part of an ISIS ploy. On the contrary, we are gradually consolidating our alliance, and I am confident that these forces and the YPG will continue to develop this alliance. * Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has attacked the Turkish government for allowing Kurdish peshmerga fighters to cross into Syria via Turkey, saying that it is an act of treason. “Peshmerga groups cannot have the status of foreign soldiers under international law as the peshmerga administration is a pirate state. Allowing the peshmerga a corridor is certainly (committing) the crime of treason,” Bahçeli said today as he addressed MHP parliamentary deputies at a parliamentary group meeting. “Those who gave the green light for the peshmerga passage through Turley, either because of US pressure or other motives, committed a crime and this will not be left unpunished,” Bahçeli said. He also criticized the way peshmerga fighters entered and left Turkey, referring to the cheers and applause peshmerga convoys received from Kurds in North Kurdistan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dolva Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Wednesday, November 5, 2014 THE POLITICS OF TURKEY AND IRAN AND THE ATTACKS BY ISIS AGAINST THE KURDS ARE THE SAME The following article comes from our friends at Rojhelat.info. It reflects the thinking of the liberation movement in Rojhelat, or so-called "Iranian Kurdistan," at this moment. We have not edited the article due to the gravity of the situation. Siyamend Moînî, member of the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) council in relation to the current situation in the region and the role of Iran, Turkey, USA and Europe on the conspiracy that goes on in the Middle East spoke to Roj News: Turkey and Iran announced no specific policy against ISIS in Kurdistan. Siyamend Moînî, in relation to the situation in the Middle East and on the other countries role said: “USA will not always be able to sacrifice their own self interest to the policy of Turkey and if a new structure is supposed to be raised in the Middle East regardless of the Kurdish forces then this is not possible and if the former USA policy is used based on the Good and the Bad Kurds then this will not succeed.” Moînî in relation to the problems in the region and on the historical problems of Iran and Turkey says: “The problem of these two countries goes back to Ottoman and the Safavid Empires. This contradictory policy of hegemony now disputes both sides and the great powers of the region to fortify their own plans they support and use ISIS as an object to fulfill these plans.” Moînî continues: “It is likely that the policy of Iran and Turkey differs in relation to the ISIS in Syria, but their policy in relation to the attacks of ISIS towards the Kurds and Kobanê is the same and are no different.” Moînî in relation to the role of the Kurds and their place in the middle east says: “The will of the people’s freedom movement has been revealed to both friends and enemies of the Kurds, the freedom movement is based on the interest of people and will remain and continue until the end of their lives. Sooner or later the US will change their policy towards the Kurds and will be forced to recognize and create a relation with the Kurds and their established forces.” Moînî continues in relation to the support of the people of Rojhelat (Eastern Kurdistan) to Rojava and Kobanê, he hails and shows his appreciation to the people of Rojhelat and says: “The Kurdish Nation is united and Kirmaşan is the support of Kobanê. These people will no longer tolerate oppression and are ready to lead a revolution against our oppressors wether it be the ISIS or Iran.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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