EBÎR MUHEMED

Qamishlo– Two years have passed since Turkey launched a military operation in Girê Spî and Sêrekaniyê cities of NE Syria. Many were killed and forcibly displaced from their homeland. Journalists reporting from the region tried to make the truth heard. In the attacks, many journalists were also targeted, wounded, and killed. NuJINHA reporters wrote this article to describe what happened two years ago.

“It is very difficult to describe those days”

Leyla Muhemed has been reporting from NE Syria for years. She talked about Turkey’s operation launched in Girê Spî and Sêrekaniyê two years ago. “It is very difficult to describe those days. The people promised to keep struggling against the threats of Turkey. Before the attacks, the people held protests and set up tents. Despite reactions of the people, Turkey made a deal with the USA and launched a military operation in Girê Spî and Sêrekaniyê,” Leyla Muhemed said.

“Journalists played an important role”

Indicating that journalists played an important role in reporting the truth to the world, Leyla Muhemed said, “The citizens in cities such as Qamishlo and Hesekê went to Sêrekaniyê and held a march there. But the protesters were shelled. The journalists covering the march were targeted and one of the employees of ANHA was killed in that bombardment. Citizens told us they would keep struggling. The mothers helped the wounded people. But the citizens were forced to displacement.”

“There is no word to describe the resistance”

Journalist Sorgul Şêxo has also reported from the region for years. Noting that the struggle of the people was worth seeing, Songul Şêxo continued to speak as follows; “No book and word can describe that resistance. Turkey first targeted the schools in Sêrekaniyê. They killed the future of the children by targeting the schools. Unfortunately, all states remained silent against the attacks of Turkey. That’s why Turkey spread its attacks in NE Syria.”

“Crimes against humanity were committed”

Emphasizing that serious crimes were committed against women in Girê Spî and Sêrekaniyê, Sorgul Şêxo said, “Crimes against humanity were committed against women, who didn’t leave their houses in Sêrekaniyê. Education and music centers were turned into prisons to hold detained people. Many states announced that a crime against humanity was committed against the people of Sêrekaniyê but they did announce nothing more. Despite the use of chemical weapons against the people of the region, some states remained silent or ignored it. As journalists, we should report what happened.”