SORGÜL ŞÊXO

Til Temir- Til Temir, also known as Tell Tamer, was built between 1933 and 1935 by Syriac and Kurdish people, claiming its place in history as a town known for its unique resistance against the Baathist regime, Al-Nusra Front and ISIS. The people of the town, being a strategically important town in the Jazira canton of North and East Syria, have achieved significant gains by resisting against the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions.

‘We are ready to defend our town to the end’

In an interview with NuJINHA, Hemdiya Kûtê, a resident of the town, talked about the liberation of the town from the Syrian regime and Al-Nusra Front in October 2012. “The fighters of Al-Nusra Front were positioned around Serêkanîyê (Ras al-Ayn) and Til Temir while the regime forces were also here. There were dialogues between Al-Nusra Front and the regime, planning to attack the Kurdish people,” she said. “Despite everything, the people resisted along with their fighters and the regime forces fled the region. However, the members of Al-Nusra Front surrounded the town from four directions and imposed a siege. We did not have food, water and medications for a month. As the people of Til Temir, we were in solidarity with each other and we are still in solidarity with each other against the attacks of the invaders and Turkish-backed factions. We are ready to defend our town to the end.”

Attacks and resistance against them

Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, Til Temir has been attacked and the people of Til Temir have resisted the attacks. “In Til Temir, many mothers lost their children, who fought to defend their people and town. Defending Jazira, Euphrates regions and Til Temir is important due to their strategical locations. Many women fighters such as Arjîn Cûdî and Hêvîdar Dêrik lost their lives while fighting Al-Nusra Front,” said Hemdiya Kûtê.

‘We have waved the flag of victory’

Speaking about ISIS attacks on the town on February 23, 2015, Hemdiya Kûtê said, “They (ISIS) advanced from Deir ez-Zor to Mount Kizwan (Mount Abdulaziz) and Til Temir. I will never forget those days because everyone took up weapons to defend their town. After a three-month resistance, we won a victory. We have waved the flag of victory until today thanks to the heroism of our martyrs.”

‘People live together in a fraternity’

Hemdiya Kûtê kept speaking about the resistance of the fighters and people. “This town is not only a piece of land but also our history and existence. Our children sacrificed themselves to defend it. Therefore, this town is our history and existence. The town of Til Temir has an important strategic location because it is located on the Khabur River at an intersection between the M4 Highway. In Till Temir, Syriac, Kurdish and Arab people live together in a fraternity. It is a small town but a historical town and the home of people from different nationalities. The Turkish state tried to cause conflict among people by cutting off the water of the Khabur River. But the plans of the Turkish state were frustrated and people keep living together in a fraternity.”

 ‘The name of Ivana Hoffmann goes down in history’

Hemdiya Kûtê also talked about the important and leading role of women in the resistance. “In Til Temir, Kurdish, Syriac and Arab women and the women from European countries fought together. We commemorate Ivana Hoffmann, who died while fighting ISIS. The name of Ivana Hoffmann goes down in history.”

 ‘Support the Kurdish people’s resistance’

Hemdiya Kûtê called on the international community to “Support the Kurdish people’s resistance. Years have passed since the revolution in Rojava. Hundreds of reports on rights violations committed by the Turkish state in Rojava have been sent to the UN and international human rights organizations. However, no lawsuits have been filed against the Turkish state and Erdoğan. This situation shows the hypocrisy of the guarantor states. Erdoğan aims to realize the borders of the ‘Misak-ı Milli (National Pact) by attacking our region. Erdoğan aims to advance to Mosul and Kirkuk. The U.S. designated Al-Nusra Front a foreign terrorist organization; however, the U.S. remain silent against its attacks. Everyone should support the Kurdish people’s resistance. We will keep resisting all kinds of attacks on our region.”