SILVA AL-IBRAHIM

Raqqa- Since the Turkish state and Turkish-backed armed groups took control of Manbij, the people of the city have been subjected to many rights violations such as kidnapping, killing, theft, looting and violence. Gender-based violence is at an alarming level in the city controlled by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed armed groups.

Two women were kidnapped by Turkish-backed armed groups in Manbij in April. Upon their release, they were killed by their male relatives in the name of “honor”. Women of North and East Syria condemn the killing of the two women, indicating that the aim of the Turkish state is to break women's will.

Since the Turkish state and Turkish-backed armed groups took control of Manbij, the women of Manbij “have been subjected to the most heinous crimes such as killing, kidnapping and other rights violations,” said Asya Hüseyin, a resident of Raqqa. The women of Manbij demand the return of the Autonomous Administration (of North and East Syria) to get rid of the nightmare haunting them. Their demand can only be met by an agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the interim government. There is an agreement for Afrin, Serêkanîyê (Ras al-Ayn) and Girê Spî (Tell Abyad) but not for Manbij. The situation in Manbij should also be at the table.”

‘The suffering of the people in occupied areas is the same’

The reality in Manbij is no different from the reality in Afrin and Serêkanîyê, emphasized Asya Hüseyin. “The rights violations committed in Manbij are also committed in the other areas controlled by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed armed groups. The people were forcibly displaced from Serêkanîyê and now they are displaced from Manbij. The prisons in the occupied Afrin are full of kidnapped women. Now, women are kidnapped in Manbij. The suffering of the people in occupied areas is the same.”

Resistance in the region

Asya Hüseyin called on the people of Manbij to “hold those who kidnap and kill women accountable because silence will pave the way for more crimes. Governments only express their concerns, watching what has been going on without fulfilling any of their promises. The resistance on the Tishreen dam, protests and support of people are very important now. Civilians keep protecting the dam despite all rights violations and bombardment.”

‘Violations in Manbij increase every day’

Rights violations and crimes have been committed against the people of Manbij since the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions took control of the city, said Latifa El-Hasan, Co-chair of the Revolutionary Youth Movement. Rights violations and the cases of kidnapping and killing in Manbij increase every day. Two women were killed by their families after they were kidnapped and then released by the Turkish-backed armed groups. Young women are the foundation of a free society. Therefore, women should support each other against the patriarchal mindset. The international community and human rights organizations should break their silence against such crimes.”

‘The attacks do not deter us from our struggle’

Mona El-Ahmad, a law student in Raqqa, condemned the killing of two women in Manbij in the name of “honor”. “Women must raise their voice to prevent such crimes. Crimes against women are legitimized in the name of ‘honor’. The attacks on us, women, do not deter us from our struggle, on the contrary, they strengthen our determination to achieve equality. We will keep struggling for freedom, equality and justice.”