NORŞAN EBDÎ

 Kobanê – The two earthquakes that occurred in Maraş on February 6, 2023 caused great destruction in many cities such as Amed (Diyarbakır), Dilok (Antep), Meletî (Malatya), Riha (Urfa), Semsur (Adıyaman), Hatay, Kilis, Adana, Osmaniye and cities in Syria and North and East Syria. The earthquakes kill and injure tens of thousands of people. While search and rescue efforts end in some areas, there are tens of thousands of people under debris. While the Turkish government is criticized for the late search and rescue efforts, peoples, especially Kurds, mobilize to be in solidarity with the victims of the earthquake. For days, the people of North and East Syria try to get information and be in solidarity with the victims of earthquakes in Bakurê Kurdistan although they are also victims of the earthquakes.

NuJINHA spoke to several women living in the city of Kobanê about the earthquake.

‘We feel their pain despite the border’

One of these women, Cihan Mustafa said, “The cities of Turkey, Kurdistan and Syria have been affected by the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023. We lost no one in Kobanê , we live in a safe area. But we feel the pain of people, women in Bakurê Kurdistan. The people of Bakurê Kurdistan supported us to fight ISIS in Kobanê. They sent their children to liberate our city. Now, it is our turn. We feel their pain and stand by them despite the border.”

‘People died under debris’

Speaking about the earthquake, Samira Ahmed said, “Many people, particularly the people of Bakurê Kurdistan, supported the resistance in Kobanê against ISIS. The Turkish state sent search and rescue teams to many areas because most of the areas affected by the earthquake are Kurdish cities. For this reason, many people died under debris.”

‘Aids are prevented’

“Where is humanity?” Samira Ahmed asked, adding, “Despite all the destruction, the invading Turkish state and its mercenaries still work for their political interests. Dozens of vehicles carrying food and fuel have been sent to the earthquake-affected areas in Syria by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. However, the Turkish state and its mercenaries stop and prevent these vehicles. It is not time for politics but solidarity. The Turkish state once again proves to the world how it is an unfair state by leaving the victims of the earthquake in a tragic situation.”

‘We share their pain’

Leyla Ahmed, another woman in Kobanê, said, “We are in solidarity with the women of Bakurê Kurdistan and we share their pain. Women are the most affected by wars and natural disasters. There is no difference among Kurds, Arabs and Turks. Everyone has the right to have a peaceful life.”