MESOP NEWS YPG Commander: We will give good news as soon as possible

ANF/MEHMET ZEKİ ÇİÇEK/ÇAĞDAŞ KAPLAN – KOBANÊ 03.01.2015 – The YPG/YPJ fighters are continuing to advance in Kobanê as they cleanse the city of ISIS gangs. YPG commander Agit Halep, who took part in the operation to liberate Mektaba Reş, a strategic point in the south east of the city, said that they were continuing to make progress, despite the arduous nature of urban warfare, and that they hoped to give the people good news as soon as possible.

YPG/YPJ fighters are continuing their historic resistance against the ISIS gangs that attacked the canton of Kobanê for the 111th day. The YPG/YPJ launched a cleansing operation a month ago which is inflicting heavy blows on the gangs, with the latest victory being the capture of Mektaba Reş on 1 January.We went to the front to see the Mektaba Reş area. It was as if there had been an earthquake, with considerable damage being done by the continuing mortar attacks of the ISIS gangs. The YPG/YPJ fighters we saw in their emplacements looked determined, evidence that the city will soon be cleansed of the gangs.

The Culture and Arts Centre was liberated two weeks ago and despite suffering serious damage is now festooned with yellow, red and green and YPG and YPJ flags. YPG/YPJ fighters discuss the previous night’s clashes while cleaning their weapons. In the entrance hall the slogan “To resist is to live. For us Kobanê is to live,” has been written on the wall.

We then head for Mektaba Reş (Black School). Around the school the YPG/YPJ fighters greet us with smiles on their faces. The gangs had blown up parts of the school. YPG and YPJ flags have been draped over the ruins. Fighters are busy cleaning up inside the school. Desks and books were strewn all over the floor by the gangs. Agit Halep, who took part in the operation to liberate the school, answers our questions. Halep says they have advanced street by street, house by house, adding that they took the school with only two fighters suffering wounds. Halep says they have liberated an area of 1 kilometre on the south eastern front during the cleansing operation, inflicting heavy losses on the gangs. Halep added that the gangs had tried to halt their advance with suicide attacks, but that they would continue their advance. He said: “Now we have taken this strategic point things will be a bit easier. God willing we will give our people good news as soon as possible.”