Despite the agreement reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Interim Government, the siege of Kobanê in Rojava continues for the 13th day. Baran, a YPG member resisting in Kobanê, where basic humanitarian needs are increasingly scarce, called for greater social awareness in a statement made in English.

 

Baran, who stated that he joined the YPG during the 2014 Kobanê resistance, is a Kurd who grew up and was educated in the UK. Baran said that he closely followed ISIS’ attacks on Kobanê during that period and decided to join the YPG ranks in response to the attacks. Baran emphasised that HTS, part of ISIS which was defeated in Kobanê on 26 January 2015, has deep and ongoing ties with Al-Qaeda and numerous other radical jihadist organisations. 

 

 

SAME MENTALITY, SAME MASSACRES

 

"Their uniforms have changed, their beards have shortened, but their ideology is the same, same thing which we started in Aleppo. Now they want to do the same against the Kurds in Kobani, in Qamishlo, in Haseki. But as you can see, we're at the forefront, and we will defend our country to the last stand," he said. Baran stated that after HTS settled in Damascus under Colani's leadership, it tried to project an image of "reform" and "change," but despite the apparent removal of ISIS flags and uniforms, the policy of massacres continues.

 

Recalling that during the resistance in Kobanê in 2014, the YPG defended not only the Kurdish people but all the peoples of the world against ISIS barbarism, Baran said that, just as at that time, the world public's attention must now be turned back to Kobanê. Stating that social mobilisation and participation in the resistance should not be limited to social media posts, Baran called on everyone to actively participate in the resistance by doing their best wherever they are.