“At a time when the world remembers its solidarity with Kobane on November 1st of every year, and on the onset of the fourth anniversary of the resistance, the heroes and leaders of that resistance continue their fights relentlessly against terror,” reads a statement from the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the political wing administering areas liberated by the SDF.
The International Day of Solidarity with Kobane marks the first major victory over ISIS.
The militant group took over the town in September 2014, causing over 130,000 civilians to flee. On September 27, the coalition against ISIS began airstrikes against jihadists in the city – their first strikes in Syria.
As the battle for Kobane took place, the city’s residents watched from hilltops across the border in Turkey.
Peshmerga from the Kurdistan Region and Free Syrian Army fighters bolstered the local YPG forces.
ISIS was driven out of the city on January 26, 2015, but remained in nearby villages and carried out a deadly attack on the city on June 25.
Civil officials and the YPG joined the commemoration ceremony in Kobane on Thursday.
The event, however, was overshadowed by Turkey’s recent attacks on villages in the area and threats of a full military operation against Rojava.
“In conjunction with the onset of the fourth anniversary of the international day for solidarity with Kobane, the Turkish Army, in a disrespectful and disrespectful attitude, targets the sons of the resistance,” said the SDC.
At least one civilian and one member of the self-defence forces have been killed.
“We, in the Syrian Democratic Council, at the time when we remember the heroic resistance in Kobane, we also invite all the free people around the world to be in solidarity with our cause and resistance, as it is the first gate in fighting the terror that threatens world security and peace,” said the SDC.
Kurdish officials have called on the international community to take a firm stance against Turkey.
“On this day, the will of free nations around the world became united, to express their solidarity with the resistance of Kobane to achieve justice and rightfulness,” Aminah Omer, co-chair of the SDC, said while participating in the celebratory activities.
“Turkey supported Daesh [ISIS] in its attack on Kobane and today, in conjunction with the anniversary of the international solidarity day with Kobane, the Turkish Army waged attacks on our secure areas and targeted civilians,” she added.
Kurds accuse Turkey of silently backing ISIS – allowing militants and arms to freely enter Syria from Turkey and attacking Kurdish forces to distract from the war against the militants.
Aldar Khalil, diplomatic representative for the ruling TEV-DEM coalition in Rojava, denounced Turkey’s attacks in a statement.
“The failure that Daesh met in Kobane is still a setback Turkey lives with and wants to take revenge for upon our people at all times,” he said, claiming Turkish attacks were aimed at minimizing the resistance of Kobane.
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party HDP echoed the sentiment.
“In Kobane, ISIS took its first defeat and its decline in the region began. Today, those who want to repeat what ISIS wanted to do will face the same will of resistance and solidarity. Kobane resisted in the past, and with the same determination it will resist today and tomorrow.”
They added that there has been no aggression against Turkey from Kobane or anywhere in Rojava, contradicting Turkish claims that the army is acting in self-defence.
