Kobanê, where the first spark of the "Rojava Revolution" was lit on 19 July 2012 in North and East Syria, was liberated from ISIS occupation 10 years ago. As a result of 134 days of resistance, an unforgettable victory was left to history. Liberated on 26 January 2015 at 02.50 pm, Kobanê was the beginning of the end for ISIS, which terrorised the whole world.

 

ISIS, which was created and raised by the rulers as an extension of Al-Qaeda, reached the power to occupy Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria in a short time. ISIS, which then turned its direction to Damascus, was directed to Kobanê, which, according to the statements of its surrendered militants, does not compromise on the Third Way policy. ISIS attacked with heavy weapons left behind by the Iraqi army and occupied 350 of 354 villages around Kobanê on 2 October 2014. On 5 October, ISIS reached Miştenûr Hill, the highest point in the centre of Kobanê, and was stopped by the sacrifice of YPJ commanders Arîn Mîrxan and Rîvana.

 

A YPG fighter noted the historic victory achieved with 134 days of resistance with the following words: "26'ê meha Çile 2015. Kobanê rizgar bû. Saet 3 kêm 10 deqe (26 January 2015. Kobanê liberated. 10 minutes to 3pm.)"

 

We talked to Ayşe Efendi, known as the Yadê (Mother) of Kobanê, on the anniversary of the liberation of Kobanê.

 

KURDS UNITED IN KOBANÊ

 

Ayşe Efendi was the co-chair of the Kobanê Divan of the Rojava People's Assembly during the period when the attacks intensified. Ayşe Efendi is now the co-chair of the Euphrates Region Martyrs' Families Assembly. "The dark history of Kurds has been enlightened with the Kobanê resistance" Ayşe Efendi said. 

 

Reminding that Kurdistan was divided into 4 nation states with the Treaty of Lausanne 100 years ago, Ayşe Efendi said, "Kurds were divided into four parts but they came together in Kobanê 10 years ago and showed that they are one. In Kobanê 10 years ago, the blood of young men and women from four parts mixed with each other. The borders drawn between us were rendered meaningless 10 years ago in Kobanê. The borders of the four parts of Kurdistan were united by resistance in Kobanê 10 years ago. Kurdish national unity was achieved in Kobanê. Honourable  fighters crossed to Kobanê. The people of Northern Kurdistan united with Rojava. Pirsûs-Kobanê became one. The hearts of four parts of Kurdistan beat for the freedom of Kobanê."

 

Drawing attention to the fact that the Kobanê resistance draws strength from the Kurdish freedom struggle that has been growing since 1978, Ayşe Efendi said, "There is a legacy of Apoist (Abdullah Öcalan) resistance approaching 50 years. This heritage had been accumulating within the people for decades. The people brought this legacy out in 2014. Kurds did not miss this opportunity of resistance and wrote a unique resistance letter by letter with their blood. In Syria, the peoples started a revolution in 2011. Out of this revolution came the Rojava Revolution. The Rojava Revolution brought the women's revolution with it. YPJ fought on behalf of all the women of the world in Kobanê. The women who resisted at the forefront in Kobanê became the pioneers of the revolution. For this reason, the Rojava Revolution has passed into the pages of history as a women's revolution."

 

Stressed that Kurds and their friends resisted against ISIS when naiton states fell one by one, Ayşe Efendi added, "80 percent of Kobanê was destroyed and occupied. Erdoğan, the commander of ISIS, was saying 'Kobanê has fallen and will fall'. 10 years have passed, but Kobenê is standing. A unique democratic system has been built in Kobanê. We have thousands of martyrs for this. Thousands of our young men and women gave a piece of their lives. Kobanê was liberated 10 years ago today at 10 minutes to 15 o'clock, but the struggle and resistance did not end. The struggle for freedom has been going on in Kobanê for 10 years at 10 minutes to 15 and for 10 years." 

 

'RESISTANCE CONTINUES IN TISHREEN'

 

Pointing out that PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's call on 22 September 2014, "The fall of Kobanê means the fall of all Kurdistan. Everyone must act according to this reality", Ayşe Efendi stressed that this call paved the way for the liberation of Kobanê and said that everyone turned their attention to Kobanê with the spirit of mobilisation. 

 

Noting that not only Kurds but also internationalists from all over the world heeded this call, Ayşe Efendi said, "This call of Leader Apo is still relevant today. Today, everyone should act according to this call. We are struggling with this consciousness. History is repeating itself once again. The Kobanê resistance is being repeated at the Tishreen Dam. Tishreen is no longer just a dam, but a site of resistance. This dam has become a dam of martyrs. People go to the dam without a moment's hesitation, risking death, and stand guard there. The slogan 'Şehid namirin (Martyrs will not die)' that was chanted there has ceased to be a slogan."

 

'PEACE AND WAR CANNOT HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME'

 

Referring to the talks held by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) İmralı Delegation with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, Ayşe Efendi said, "On the one hand, while talks are being held with Leader Apo, massacres are being carried out on the other. A hypocritical politics is being conducted. Peace and war cannot happen at the same time. Just as the massacres in Enfal, Halabja, Dersim, Newala Qesaba continue today in Rojava. While Erdoğan says 'children should not die in Gaza', he bombs Kurdish children in Rojava. We know this hypocrisy. While demanding peace for Gaza, massacres are imposed on Kurds. We cannot accept this. We recognise Erdogan, the emir of ISIS. Against this, everyone should turn to the Rojava Revolution. Kurds and their friends should be the voice of Rojava everywhere. The promises made to the Kurds should not remain only in words. Everyone must act de facto. For peace and tranquility, everyone must speak out against the attacks against Rojava."

 

MA / Emrullah Acar