ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), on Tuesday strongly condemned the attacks on northern Syria (Rojava), calling them “unacceptable” and insisting they “must stop.”
“What is happening in Syria and Rojava is unacceptable and must stop,” Talabani said. “We utterly condemn this act of barbarism against the Kurdish people.”
He added, “The Kurdish people will not remain silent or look the other way.”
In a Facebook post, Talabani highlighted Rojava’s sacrifices.
“Rojava lost thousands of its sons and daughters in the fight against ISIS, defending the world at a tremendous cost. They deserve respect, dignity, and real protection.”
He also called on the United States and the American people to “act with clarity and responsibility to protect civilians and preserve stability.”
Earlier this month, Damascus-affiliated forces launched a wide-scale offensive, seizing large portions of territory held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Despite a US-brokered ceasefire between SDF chief Mazloum Abdi and Sharaa, attacks on Rojava have continued.
Foza Alyusuf, a senior member of northeast Syria’s ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD), told Rudaw on Monday that the ceasefire talks were “not positive,” accusing the transitional government of seeking to dismantle Kurdish self-rule and undermine Kurdish rights.
Areas around Kobane and its southern countryside are under growing pressure from Damascus-affiliated forces. Kobane was previously attacked by ISIS in 2014 but was later liberated by the SDF with support from the US-led coalition and Peshmerga forces from the Kurdistan Region.
Amid the ongoing fighting, the SDF on Monday urged young Kurds in Rojava and Kurdish communities in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Europe to “unite” and “join the resistance.”
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