REDUR XELIL : Syrian Kurdistan’s YPG (PKK) stops all military operations

27-2-2014 – QAMISHLI, Syrian Kurdistan – MESOP :  The General Command of the YPG issued a written statement, saying they will act further on only on the basis of legitimate defence, responding in the event of an attack taking place. The YPG, which consists of women and men fighters, was established in July 2012.

In its statement Redur Xelil of the YPG said: “Since 6 July 2013 the assaults of various groups, such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Al Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham, on our region have not relented. As the YPG our response to these attacks has been within the framework of legitimate defence. Hundreds of women and men have been martyred while defending their people, honour, land and freedom.”

The YPG, statement continued: “Following the liberation of the Tel Berek area the gangs launched a fresh attack yesterday morning (25 February) in order to retake Tel Berek, but they were repulsed.” The YPG drew attention to efforts by certain organs of the press and chauvinist circles that have tried to create ethnic tension after the withdrawal of the gangs, emphasising that the YPG was for the fraternity of the Kurdish and Arab peoples, and condemned the “untrue, immoral slanders contrary to press principles.” The YPG statement added: “In order to make public the true situation we have assisted a delegation consisting of politicians and members of the autonomous administration and the press to visit the area to meet leading members of the Arab community.”

The YPG stated: “In line with the perspectives of the Democratic autonomous administration and Jazeera Canton Defence Ministry we are halting all military actions and operations in the Jazeera, Kobani and Afrin cantons and in Aleppo and Rakka. We will maintain our positions on the basis of legitimate defence and if an attack occurs we will exercise our legitimate right of defence.”

The YPG stressed the necessity to protect community life, adding: “We wish to emphasise once again the importance of social and fraternal relations between all components of society in the cantons of Jazeera, Kobani and Afrin. We will remain as a human shield and legitimate defence force against all those who attack the region.”