Administration of North and East Syria: We will respond to Turkish attacks according to principles of legitimate self-defense

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Following the Turkish attacks across North and East Syria that killed at least a dozen civilians, the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) called on the peoples and components of the region to stand together against the practices of the Turkish state and to rally around the security, military, and civil institutions to protect the democratic gains they have made.

The statement said the military and security institutions of the region will act in accordance with the principles of legitimate self-defense in the face of Turkish attacks and aggression. If Turkey continues down its current path, it will plunge the region into a long-term war with unimaginable consequences.

General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi said that the Turkish airstrikes targeting North and East Syria have nothing to do with the Istanbul blast, saying that, regardless of who the perpetrator of the blast was, government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is engaged in a conspiracy to increase domestic support ahead of next year’s elections.

Abdi explained that Turkey has been planning the attack for a year and expects the attacks to continue for several days, ruling out a ground invasion at the present time.

“Airstrikes will not discourage our fighters and they are ready to defend the region against any external aggression, as the attacks will harm all parties if they continue,” he added.

Abdi called on all residents of North and East Syria to remain in their homes for their own safety and that the Internal Security Forces (ISF) will give them instructions according to developments on the ground.

Several marches were organized across North and East Syria in defiance of the Turkish bombardment.