Syrian Democratic Forces Spokesperson Aram Hanna speaks to Rojava FM about Turkish occupation and military cooperation with Iraq to secure border

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Aram Hanna, official spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stated that the Turkish forces and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) occupying North and East Syria  continue to target the region, especially the villages around Tel Tamr and Ayn Issa, in order to destabilize the region. Turkish aggression both directly and indirectly supports terrorist groups in the region, said Hanna.

During an interview with Rojava FM, Hanna stated that the SDF has thwarted many attacks launched by the SNA, specifically on the village of Skirou in the countryside of Ayn Issa. He stated that the SDF has killed many SNA fighters in defensive actions in recent months, forcing them to flee back to their lines. Hanna assured that the SDF were ready to defend the people of the region and repel any attacks.

Turkey and the SNA continue to target the regions of North and East Syria, said Hanna, especially the villages around Tel Tamr and Ayn Issa, targeting civilians and civil infrastructure in pursuit of its goal of undermining and overthrowing the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) that governs the region.

The SDF are making all efforts to liberate the areas under Turkish occupation, said Hanna, saying, “The bells of Rish Ayno [Ras al-Ayn] will sound, declaring victory for Afrin, and all the areas under occupation so they can be returned to their original inhabitants.”

Hanna explained that the SDF is coordinating with the International Coalition on several matters related to combating terrorism and the ongoing Turkish violations, adding that they value the Coalition’s role in de-escalation. He further stated, “Terrorism has moved to a new stage, and the terrorists are receiving a lot of support from the Turkish occupation.”

Regarding the SDF operations on the Iraqi–Syrian border combating terrorism and coordination with the Iraqi government on the handover of Islamic State (ISIS) members, Hanna indicated that there are many military understandings between the SDF and the Iraqi government, resulting the arrests of many terrorists trying to infiltrating the border between the two countries. The SDF recently handed over 100 Iraqi national members of ISIS to the Iraqi government through this ongoing coordination.  

In this context, Turkish occupation forces continue to bombard civilians and their villages along the line of contact, recently targeting the town of Zarkan in the Hasakah countryside with machine guns, causing the displacement of the town’s residents to neighboring areas. The power station in Timar (Umm al-Keif) near Tel Tamr and power lines servicing the area were also targeted. The strike in Timar caused a power outage, which maintenance teams are working to repair under the protection of Russian forces.