Hezbollah targets new Israeli settlements in retaliation for civilian bombings

2024-07-19 
Shafaq News/ 

On Friday, Lebanese Hezbollah bombed three Israeli settlements, which had not been targeted since the start of the mutual attacks in October 2023, in response to the Israeli bombing that targeted some Lebanese villages on Thursday.

“In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and their valiant and honorable resistance, and in response to the Israeli enemy attacks that targeted civilians yesterday in the towns of Safad El Battikh, Majdal Selm and Shaqra, the Islamic Resistance fighters have bombarded on Friday, for the first time, three new settlements which are Aberim, Neve Ziv and Menot with dozens of Katyusha missiles.” Hezbollah's military media stated.

Lebanese Civil Defense reported that "two individuals were killed and 12 others injured in the Israeli airstrike on the town of Safad El Battikh."

In this context, Hezbollah's leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Wednesday "Continuing to target civilians will push the Resistance to launch missiles at settlements that were not previously targeted."

In addition, Hezbollah mourned the death of Ali Jaafar Matouk, who was killed in the airstrike.

The Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that Israeli warplanes killed Matouk, a field commander of Hezbollah's Radwan Unit, and another commander with him.

Hezbollah, is one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East that has been deeply involved in intense, near-daily cross-border fighting with Israel since October 7, marking the most significant escalation since the 2006 war.

The exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in the deaths of 516 people in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters, but also 104 civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Hezbollah and official Lebanese sources.

Israel claims it is responding to Hezbollah operations by bombing "infrastructure and military" targets associated with the group and targeting the movements of its fighters. However, the strikes have caused extensive destruction, especially in frontline border villages, displacing their inhabitants.

Israel has reported the deaths of 18 soldiers and 13 civilians and remains highly secretive about its losses with Hezbollah, but all settlements in the northern region are devoid of residents, who have either fled elsewhere or sought refuge in shelters. There is also an internal Israeli conflict over the escalating tensions with Hezbollah, given the group's possession of an arsenal of up to 100,000 missiles, including those capable of reaching Tel Aviv, as stated by Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

ISRAEL

Eilat Port declares bankruptcy: What awaits the Occupying state?


July 19, 2024

New cars are parked in the port of the southern Israeli city of Eilat, near the border with Egypt, on February 15, 2012. [Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/GettyImages]

by Mustafa Abdulsalam

The Israeli port of Eilat officially declared its bankruptcy, after eight months of complete paralysis of commercial activity and its cessation of receiving ships and containers, especially coming from the Asian countries’ markets, carrying with them the needs of the economy and its industrial sector. This includes raw materials, intermediate goods, production inputs, machinery and equipment, crude oil and fuel, wheat, food, cars and other market needs.

The reason for this was the successive attacks launched by the Yemeni Houthi group on Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, as well as the targeting of ships from countries supporting the Occupation in the genocidal war it is waging against the people of Gaza, most notably American and British ships.

According to the World Cargo website that reports global shipping news, the port of Eilat has officially declared bankruptcy due to the lack of commercial activity. According to data provided by the port’s CEO, Gideon Gilbert, the port has not witnessed any activity or revenues during the past eight months, and attacks by Yemeni forces in the Red Sea caused a decline in shipping traffic by 85 per cent. This sharp decline led to heavy losses for the port, which forced it to request financial aid from the Israeli government to cover its expenses and avoid permanent closure.

OPINION: Who are Yemen’s Houthis?

Major ports and economic and financial facilities are expected to declare bankruptcy in Israel during the coming period, given the almost complete paralysis that has affected economic activities, including vital sectors such as technology, information technology, direct investment, building and construction, real estate, industries, agriculture, domestic tourism and aviation. The bankruptcy may even extend to the financial and banking sector in light of the wave of flight of money and huge deposits from the Occupying state’s markets and banks, the flight of foreign investors, the increase in the rates of bad loans and those that are unlikely to be repaid, and the decline of the shekel, foreign reserves, and the state’s public revenues, especially from taxes.

The danger of the bankruptcy of the Port of Eilat lies in the fact that the port is considered one of the most important Israeli ports. It is actually the only Israeli port overlooking the Red Sea. It represents a main gateway and a vital lung for the Occupying state’s foreign trade with Asia, Africa and some Gulf countries. Its paralysis has disrupted supply chains and burdened the Israeli economy, causing it huge trading losses.

The announcement of the bankruptcy of the port of Eilat is only a drop in the ocean of the huge economic and financial losses that the Occupying state has suffered since the start of the war on Gaza. It also reveals the severe damage that the Houthi attacks have inflicted on the Israeli economy, especially its trade with China, India, South Korea, Singapore, and other Asian and Gulf countries. Were it not for the logistical and commercial support that Israel receives from some countries in the region that supply the Occupying state’s markets with its needs through Gulf ports in Dubai and Bahrain, the impact would have been greater and more painful, and the Occupying state’s economy and markets would have witnessed collapses in vital activities, and unprecedented jumps in the markets, especially in the prices of food commodities and living.

Of course, continuing the Gaza war does not serve the interest of the Israeli economy, the activities of which have been disrupted and which has suffered heavy losses and massive damage. Some of its sectors have even been completely paralysed. According to figures from the Bank of Israel and the Israeli Ministry of Finance, the cost of the war from 7 October until the end of March 2024 reached over 70 billion shekels ($73 billion).

This is just the cost of the war. What about the cost of evacuating about 250,000 Israelis from their homes in the “Gaza Envelope” settlements, the Western Negev and the Lebanese border, and the cost of paying the salaries of the approximately 360,000 reserve soldiers who left their civilian jobs to join the Occupation? They disrupted the work of schools, universities and economic facilities, including tourism, restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues. What about the other repercussions of the war on the Israeli economy, such as the rise in inflation rates, the intensification of the general budget deficit and the increase in government debts? What about the cost of losses to economic facilities, commercial interests, and small and medium businesses in Israel, which witnessed a severe recession due to all government resources and budgets being allocated and utilised for the war?

Children as young as seven years old 'arrested' by German police at pro-Palestine demos

German police have used excessive force against protesters, with the latest developments including children being arrested and women facing sexual violence

Hebh Jamal
19 July, 2024

A child Pro-Palestinian protester chants into a megaphone as he demonstrates after police officers shut down the previous day an event in solidarity with Palestine on April 13, 2024 in Berlin [Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images]

Berlin police is arresting children at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, in what activists say is a shocking escalation of already widespread police violence against pro-Palestinian voices.

The most recent confirmed arrest of children involved the early June detention of a 7-year-old boy for allegedly hitting an officer’s helmet with his flag. In a witness statement shown to The New Arab (TNA), the boy's father said he had been carrying his son on his shoulders at a march when they suddenly found themselves surrounded by officers who lashed out at the crowd and then took the pair away to a police van.

The police confirmed via email that a 7-year-old was arrested on suspicion of "assaulting" a police officer at the same protest in Berlin. Police told TNA that six children under the age of 16 were detained on June 8.

In a video posted on social media, the child can be seen screaming in a state of extreme distress while he and his father are surrounded and grabbed by 11 officers in riot gear.

The father says the child now experiences anxiety and needs psychological treatment because of the incident.

In another incident on the same day, a 13-year-old was handcuffed and dragged away by officers using a controversial "pain grip" after making a rude hand gesture to a police officer. Berlin police have confirmed that a 13-year-old was detained "on suspicion of insult," which is a criminal offence under German law.

A few weeks earlier, on May 29, an incident was reported where two adolescents were punched in the face several times by police officers at a house entrance in Sonnenallee street in Berlin. This incident of police violence was condemned by Amnesty International Germany, and urged an investigation into allegations of unlawful police actions.

Alarming rise in sexual violence

In an open letter addressed to Berlin's interior minister and chief of police, activists charge that this is one of several incidents of police violence against children. “Numerous cases prove that the police do not safeguard and ensure the vital protection of minors by forcibly taking children and young people into custody in handcuffs, sometimes without informing their parents,” their statement read.

Activists have also claimed that women have been subject to sexual violence at the hands of the police where assaults and sexualized insults were reported as well as the violent arrest of a visibly pregnant protestor. The Berlin police press office did not respond to these allegations by the time of publication.

The European Legal Support Center, stated in a press release on June 11, that police violence is simply an intimidation tactic as dozens of cases have been dropped. “Since October of last year, in a wave of escalating state repression, countless criminal charges and misdemeanours have been brought against the Palestine solidarity movement. But as we expected, dozens of cases have since been dropped.”

“The outcome of the legal proceedings shows that the repression serves primarily to intimidate the Palestinian movement. This intimidation particularly affects people financially and/or legally at risk in residency status. This is a form of structural racist violence” the press release said.

Mohammed, a Palestinian who took part in the June 8 protests, said that he believes the police presence increases every time. “I witnessed the arrest of a Jewish man who was detained because of a sign that said “From the river to someplace in the West. The demonstrator was brutally arrested. These attempts to criminalize people on the streets are unfathomable.”

A video of the arrest of a man with a kippa was shared on social media. Berlin police can not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

Faisal, who was also witness to the increased police violence on June 8 spoke to TNA.

“The police demand that you move, and can see at times very well that there is absolutely nowhere for you to go. You barely have enough space for your feet to keep you upright.

"If you don't follow orders, the police use force. This force ranged from shoving (enough to push most people over) to direct strikes to the face and neck, kicks to the shins and groin, and headlocks that result in you being literally dragged into custody by your neck.

RELATED

Inside Germany's far-reaching anti-Palestinian crackdown

In-depth

Hebh Jamal

Protesters assured safety, then harmed

In the most recent demonstration in Berlin on July 14th, pro-Palestinian activist, Yasemin Acar recalls that this was the most violent she has ever seen the Berlin police. “Before the demonstration began, there were calls between the police and the organizers who registered the demo, assuring them that this time, things will go smoothly.”

“We wondered if this was an admission that things would change. Could the state finally acknowledge its racism against Palestinians and is attempting to address it?” Acar quickly realised the answer was no, as the police suddenly became aggressive.

She states she was attacked from behind as she was documenting another arrest and that the officers surrounded her: “one pushed me so hard that I fell, hitting my head on the asphalt. My arm, head, and neck were injured, and an ambulance had to take me to the hospital. Many others were also hospitalized, and one person even had their arm broken. We are counting more than 50 arrests.”

“I feel like this was planned," Acar said.

"They provoked demonstrators, arrested people, and cancelled the protest without justification...They needed to create chaos to rationalize their brutal actions.”

Hebh Jamal is a Palestinian American journalist based in Germany.

Illegal surveillance and ‘false allegations’: Activist sheds light on targeting of pro-Palestine students in Australia

University of Melbourne has started disciplinary proceedings against several students involved in pro-Palestine protests

Yasin Gungor |19.07.2024 - 

‘The university is punishing students for standing up against genocide,’ Palestinian student organizer Dana Alshaer tells Anadolu

Charges leveled against protesters are ‘extremely baseless’ and ‘extremely political,’ says Alshaer

CCTV footage and Wi-Fi location tracking data used as evidence by the university raises concerns of illegal surveillance

ISTANBUL

For several months now, Dana Alshaer and hundreds of others at a top Australian university have been raising their voices for Palestinians suffering through Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza.

Alshaer is one of the founders and main organizers of UniMelb for Palestine, a collective of students, staff and alumni of the University of Melbourne set up last November.

They have staged protests and used all possible avenues to take a stand for Palestine and to force the university to cut ties with weapons manufacturers, divest from Israeli firms and, as Alshaer puts it, “end its complicity in the genocide in Gaza.”

The movement has made an impact, successfully pushing the university to disclose in June its links with weapons manufacturers Lockheed Martin, Boeing and BAE Systems, as well as over $15 million in research partnerships and investments with the US Department of Defense, Alshaer told Anadolu.

That happened after their month-long Gaza solidarity encampment and a sit-in staged at Mahmoud’s Hall, an arts building renamed by the students to honor Mahmoud Alnaouq, a Palestinian student killed in Gaza who was due to join the University of Melbourne.

For their activism, Alshaer and 20 other students are now facing “extremely baseless” allegations of misconduct from the university and the threat of expulsion.

“They targeted five main organizers of UniMelb for Palestine, and they also targeted some prominent students who have been very visibly present during rallies and protests on campus,” said Alshaer.

“These misconduct allegations are a punishment … for students who defied the university’s ties with weapons manufacturers … and challenged the university’s ongoing complicity in the genocide in Gaza. The university is punishing students for standing up against genocide.”

Illegal tracking and right to protest

The University of Melbourne has leveled two main charges against the protesters, the first being violation of health and safety regulations and the second that they used the building improperly by staging a sit-in.

“There were no safety concerns, there was no entries or exits, blockaded, or any obstacles present in the building,” said Alshaer.

“All of these allegations violate our rights as students under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. We have a right to peaceful protest and it’s protected by that charter, and we were peacefully protesting.”

The very nature of these charges of misconduct is “extremely political,” she asserted.

The university’s action against pro-Palestine protesters has also brought to light another critical issue, with students and rights groups raising concerns that illegal surveillance methods were used by the administration.

“In the misconduct allegations, the university included CCTV footage and Wi-Fi location tracking as evidence … so there’s been a use of surveillance technologies against students,” Alshaer explained.

She pointed out that the university, back in 2016, specifically said that “their Wi-Fi tracking cannot and will not be used to identify students.”

“However, what we saw in the misconduct allegations and documents that were sent to us is that Wi-Fi tracking has been used to track students,” she said.

“With the CCTV footage, there’s extremely big concerns over the university’s possible and potential use of facial recognition programs.”

This has even drawn concerns from prominent human rights organizations such as Amnesty International Australia, Human Rights Law Center and Digital Rights Watch, she said.

There have also been more statements of support for students and condemnation of the university from other bodies such as the Jewish Council of Australia, she said.

The University of Melbourne is also “under investigation by the Victorian Commissioner’s Office of Information,” she added.

Futures at stake

Despite being targeted by the university, Alshaer said the students are determined to continue their activism for Palestine, but emphasized that the “false allegations” are jeopardizing their futures.

“They will most definitely affect our students’ life if they are not dropped immediately … When they frame us standing up against genocide and complicity in genocide as an act that required disciplinary action, it means that they are framing the students as being bad in character,” she said.

“This is not the case, so if the university does not drop these allegations, it will affect every single student and will affect our professional future … These allegations will have catastrophic consequences.”

She reiterated that the students remain aware of the responsibility they are shouldering and the reality that their work is far from done.

“There’s no divestment yet. It’s only disclosure. This is definitely only the first step,” said Alshaer.

“Our end goal is full divestment from all weapons’ manufacturers, from all companies and entities complicit in the genocide and oppression of the Palestinian people, and full divestment from the Israeli apartheid regime.”

Besê Hozat: We reject using President Öcalan as a bargaining chip

Besê Hozat spoke about the situation of Öcalan and the 14th July martyrs.


ANF
BEHDINAN
Saturday, 20 July 2024

KCK Executive Council co-chair Besê Hozat said in this interview that the Turkish state wanted concessions in exchange to an end of the isolation imposed on the Kurdish People's Leader and added: "We reject this attitude. Our Leader cannot be a bairganing chip."

I would like to start with the situation of Kurdish peoples leader Abdullah Öcalan, which determines the struggle of the Kurdish people and your freedom movement. In previous programs you have widely evaluated the global campaign for his physical freedom and the attitude of international institutions that ignore this struggle. Based on the recent developments, how do you evaluate the current level of the campaign and what are your goals for the next phase of the movement?

For 26 years, our leader, Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] has been developing a great resistance in the face of a genocidal system. There is a truly glorious peoples, guerrilla, and prison resistance developing around him. For 26 years, our leader has been held as a hostage in the hands of the Turkish state which is conducting a hostage policy. There is some information that has reached us in these last few days that we consider important to share with the public.

According to information from reliable sources, some authorized people from Erdogan’s administration said that under some conditions, they would let Rêber Apo see his brother and, afterwards, his lawyers. But in order for them to allow these visitations, they have conditions. In other words, they want us to make concessions.That is what they said. The source of this information is reliable, we know the groups and individuals who have disclosed this information. We also know the policy they these groups have been conducting with Erdogan for years. This is a very important situation, we wanted the public to know about it.

Indeed, a very despicable policy is being carried out against Rêber Apo. He once stated that he was a hostage in the hands of the Turkish state. We have always pointed out that such approaches have existed for years. We have always said that the Turkish state is conducting a policy based on blackmail and bargaining in regards to the situation of our leader. Now this is an example that confirms this once again. Rêber Apo is being treated as a bargaining chip. This is extremely despicable, extremely ugly, and dirty; they really know no moral or legal boundaries.

Of course, we strongly reject and condemn such dirty and disgusting approaches and policies. Let us state this clearly. Under no circumstances can our leader be made a bargaining chip. We will never accept this. It is even written in the Turkish laws that the right of the leader to consult his lawyers and to see his family, as well as the right to communicate with the outside world, is the most natural, legitimate, and legal right. This is also written in international law. Turkey has signed these international laws and conventions. To take the most natural, legitimate, and legal right of our leader and make it a subject of bargaining, is despicable.

The rights –legal, human, natural, and legitimate rights– of our leader cannot be made the subject of bargaining. This point must be clear, since it is very crucial. There are many writers, illustrators, and politicians in Turkey who pass themselves off as intellectuals, who supposedly defend the rule of law, who fight for secularism and democracy, who identify themselves as Kemalists, leftists, or socialists, and who defend the values of the republic. They consider law, justice, and democracy as fundamental human rights and a fundamental right for the society in Turkey. So what do they say regarding the ongoing situation in Imrali? Now in Imrali, Turkish law and international law are being trampled on. The law is being violated. For 26 years, there has been a system of torture and isolation in Imrali. For the last four years, there has been a systematic practice of solitary confinement and absolute isolation. And now this practice has spread all over Turkey. There is a terrible system of isolation and torture in all prisons now. People who have conducted their prison sentences are not being released. People, sick people, seriously ill people are dying in prison. People aged 70, 80, 85 are arrested and put in prisons. Tiny babies are growing up in prisons. This lawlessness developed in Imrali and has now spread throughout Turkey. This is being practiced on Kurdish politicians and revolutionaries in a multiplied way. What do these writers and intellectuals in Turkey who define themselves as left-wing democrats, defenders of the law, defenders of justice say about this? If they say nothing, what do they have to do with being intellectuals or writers?

Anyone who tramples on the law in such a way, anyone who doesn’t say a word, who doesn’t utter a sentence about the lawlessness in Imrali, about these disgusting negotiations, and about this dirty politics being carried out through Imrali, cannot be called an intellectual. Someone like this cannot be called a politician of the people, cannot be called opposition, cannot be called a defender of democracy, justice, and humanity. Imrali is a litmus paper, a measure of how much of an intellectual, leftist, democrat, socialist, and defender of justice and law one is. A person reveals their true face in their approach to Imrali and in their approach to these disgusting policies, injustices, and unlawfulness practiced against our leader. This is the determining factor.

The criteria of law, justice, and democracy advocacy are the approaches developed against the torture and isolation system imposed on Rêber Apo in Imrali. Of course, it also reveals how important this global freedom campaign is and how necessary it is in a very striking way. All this is actually a result of the pressure built up through the campaign. It is the freedom campaign that has brought the fascist regime to such a point. The regime is having much difficulty in the face of the struggle. It is in a deadlock, unsure of what to do. Especially the lawyers are carrying out a very significant and valuable work and struggle. The situation in Rêber Apo and the isolation and torture system in Imrali have been put on the agenda of the United Nations (UN). It is also on the agenda of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE). The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will also convene in September to evaluate this situation. The ECHR said years ago that what has been going on in Imrali is torture and a violation of rights. Despite knowing this, these institutions have just been observing for years. In other words, they have been watching these unlawful acts, this massacre, and these genocide policies without showing any effort to act. In fact, not only are they just watching; they are also a partner to these policies. Now, the struggle through the global freedom campaign has built up so much pressure that these institutions have had to put this situation on the agenda. This is a very important result, and the struggle must be continued in this way. Because in the person of Rêber Apo, all human values are under heavy attack. There is a terrible attack on freedom, democracy, justice, law, and all human values. In that respect, one must not tolerate this in any way. It is necessary to struggle until the end, and we will definitely achieve great results.

The people’s struggle has also created a certain sensitivity and a certain form of assumption of responsibility; we need to continue to raise this without interruption. We always point out that the situation of Rêber Apo and the Kurdish question are intertwined. Rêber Apo is the leader of the Kurdish people. He is the interlocutor for the democratic solution of the Kurdish question. Therefore, the approach to Rêber Apo is the approach to the Kurdish people, is the approach to the Kurdish question. Any positive development regarding the situation of Rêber Apo is also a development in the solution of the Kurdish question. The fate of the solution of the Kurdish question and the fate of Rêber Apo are tied to each other. There can only be a democratic solution. We need to carry out the struggle everywhere with integrity. The physical freedom of Rêber Apo must be at the center of the struggle everywhere. Against these genocide policies, of which Imrali is the center, we need to carry out and continue our struggle very strongly. Everywhere people must struggle against these genocidal policies, against this war of genocide, and instead for the physical freedom of Rêber Apo. As long as we continue this strongly and uninterruptedly, we will definitely yield great results.

We are in the month of July. July 14th marks the 42nd anniversary of the great action you refer to as the ‘Great Resistance’ and ‘National Day of Honor’. As the PKK, you have declared that you have always grown based on the spirit of July 14th. How is the July 14th spirit of resistance reflected in your struggle today?

Of course, first of all, I commemorate the martyrs of the great death fast, comrade Kemal Pir, Mehmet Hayri Durmus, Akif Yilmaz and Ali Cicek, and all the martyrs of the July 14 resistance with all due respect, love and gratitude. These comrades put forward a historic resistance against the fascist darkness of September 12. They showed everyone that fascism can be defeated through resistance in even the most difficult conditions, even in the darkest periods of fascism. With their resistance, they proved to everyone, friend and foe alike, that all difficulties, all oppression, and all persecution can be overcome and defeated through resistance, and that free life can only be achieved through resistance. In this sense, they created a tradition, a line, and a spirit of resistance. For 42 years, the Kurdish people have been struggling and resisting according to this line of resistance. And it has created a very strong legacy of values and achievements. Again in this spirit, the guerrilla of Kurdistan, the freedom guerrilla, has been fighting for years, waging a self-defense war. Today, this war continues with the same spirit in the regions of Zap and Metina, in the provinces of northern Kurdistan, and everywhere throughout all of Kurdistan. In Rojava, a great struggle has been waged for years with this spirit. The revolution of Rojava, which today affects the whole world and is a source of inspiration and hope for all of humanity, emerged out of the struggle carried out within this spirit. Therefore, the struggle along this line and in the spirit of July 14th has brought about great gains in Kurdistan. It created the identity of the free Kurd. It brought with it the paradigm of the Democratic Nation and the system of Democratic Confederalism. Rêber Apo led this struggle with great devotion to the martyrs of July 14th, and this struggle has brought about great developments in the line of their resistance.

Today, the Kurdish freedom movement is leading the revolutionary process in the Middle East becoming a key actor. Today, under the leadership of the Kurdish freedom movement, the Kurdish people are waging a great struggle for democracy and freedom. It is leading the peoples of the Middle East and is playing a great transformative role in liberation and democratization. These are very great achievements. And all these gains have emerged with the spirit of the July 14 understanding of struggle and resistance.

These are very valuable. This struggle continues to develop, grow, and become a united struggle, fighting fiercely against betrayal and surrender. The July 14th struggle against surrender and against betrayal is actually a great reaction to the collaborationist circles that act together with the colonialist, genocidal regime against the freedom of the Kurdish people today. Surrender and betrayal were condemned and almost buried in 1982 under the fascist September 12 coup.

Now, in the same line, in the same spirit, against this collaborative, treacherous, treacherous line, the entire Kurdish people must resist, struggle, take a strong stance. They must condemn betrayal and collaboration, and achieve freedom and victory. The July 14 resistance is proof of this. The July 14 resistance showed the world that submission will be defeated, betrayal will be defeated, oppression, fascism, and all kinds of oppression will be defeated. Now, the struggle that has been waged for 42 years in that line of struggle has revealed a very magnificent public stance and resistance. If our people develop this struggle and this resistance with the same spirit, emotion, consciousness, will, and organization against this oppressive, treacherous, and collaborative line and against the genocidal, colonialist, and fascist regime, this fascism will surely be defeated. The collaborationist, treacherous line will be buried in history along with this fascism.

KURDISTAN

Women: We have succeeded in standing against patriarchal mentality through education

‘With education, we have succeeded in standing against the patriarchal mentality that surrounds women,’ said women from the Zenubiya Women's Community who participated in the Reading Days where Öcalan’s books were read.


ANF
RAQQA
Tuesday, 16 July 2024, 14:37

The international campaign ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question’ launched globally in October 2023, continues. Within the scope of the campaign, the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Öcalan is demanded in actions and events organized around the world by the Kurdish people and their friends. Reading Days, where Abdullah Öcalan's books are read and discussed, is one of these events.

Many people have attended the Reading Days organised by Zenubiya Women's Community in Raqqa since 9 July. Abdullah Öcalan's 3rd defense, titled ‘Sociology of Freedom’, was read on the Reading Days. Women who participated in the Reading Days spoke to ANHA.

Wîsaq Îsamîl, Director of the Economic Committee of Raqqa Zenubiya Women's Community, stated that Abdullah Öcalan's book ‘Sociology of Freedom’ evaluates many social issues related to governance, freedom and women. Îsamîl stated that all women should read Öcalan's books and said, ‘Leader Abdullah Öcalan analyses the individual and shows the way to take an active role in the construction of a free and democratic society.”

Wesfiya El Eli, member of the Peace (Reconciliation) Committee of the Zenubiya Women's Community, said: ‘Thanks to the analyses of Leader Abdullah Öcalan, I realised the impact of the policies of the capitalist and sovereign systems on society and especially on women. Women are very strong. Women are strong enough to uphold their responsibilities towards society. But the male-dominated system and the policies of oppression against women have negatively affected the roles of women. Leader Abdullah Öcalan strongly defeated these policies. Leader Abdullah Öcalan's philosophy highlights the freedom of women and society.”

Nûrelhuda Mihemed, a member of the Education Committee of the Zenubiya Women's Community, drew attention to the role of women in the revolution in Northern and Eastern Syria and said, ‘Women played a very important role in the revolution thanks to Leader Abdullah Öcalan. Through education, we women have succeeded in standing against the patriarchal mentality that surrounds women."

Internationalist Commune releases a series of videos about the Rojava Revolution

The internationalist Commune of Rojava has published the first of a series of 7 videos called "Perspective from Rojava". As the Commune explained: “With this 7-part series, we want to offer a basic introduction and understanding of the revolution.”


ANF
NEWS DESK
Thursday, 18 July 2024

The internationalist Commune of Rojava has published the first of a series of 7 videos called "Perspective from Rojava". As the Commune explained: "With this 7-part series, we want to offer a basic introduction and understanding of the revolution."

The Commune underlined that "the ecological revolution in Rojava is an ongoing process which aims to bring about fundamental changes in our approach to nature and life. This revolution has to rebuild what former regimes have destroyed, change the mentality of a people and resist against one of the most ecocidal forces in the region, the Turkish state.

From the beautiful countryside of Koçerata, Jiyan Koçer, a member of the Union of Young Women of Northeast Syria, discusses the background, developments and obstacles of the Rojava revolution.

She highlights the role and responsibility of women and young people, and the continuing imperialist threats to it. All this with the perspective on the ecological paradigm, its foundation, the hardships it needs to overcome and the progress that have been made."

The first video is titled "We will leave no women unorganized".

12 years ago, the Rojava Revolution

Today marks the 12th anniversary of the Rojava Revolution.


ANF
NEWS DESK
Friday, 19 July 2024

On 19 July 2012, the Kurds found their own “Freedom Day” when the people of Kobane took control of their own destiny, repelling Assad’s Syrian forces and embarked on establishing their own self-government. On the following day, 20 July, the people in Afrin joined them in this endeavour, setting off a wave of successful resistance in the coming days and months across the region that emerged as Rojava. The heroic resistance of these embattled Kurdish men and women immediately inspired solidarity from onlookers around the world and peoples of all nations rallied to the defence of Kobane.

What has become known as the Rojava Revolution drew its direct inspiration from the leadership and writings of Abdullah Öcalan; it was a practical implementation of his core political ideas and unique contribution to the politics of Kurdistan and the broader Middle East region, with global implications and valuable lessons for the entire peoples of the world."

Women were in the lead and continue to play a crucial role in the new model of society implemented. All the different nations and beliefs in Rojava and Northern Syria joined the 19 July Revolution with their own features and identities.

They started to work together to build a new democratic system on the road to democratization.

In the developed democratic system, democratic solutions to issues related to women as the oppressed gender were elaborated, and a political and social system started to take shape as an alternative to the global capital and capitalist system.

The so-called Arab Spring began in Tunisia in 2010 and spread to other Arab and Northern African countries. It also reached Syria.

As the popular movement took its first steps in Syria, the Baath regime responded with even stricter oppressive methods in place since 1963 to protect its power.

With the beginning of the Syrian Revolution on 15 March 2011, the peoples of Rojava and northern Syria called for freedom, democracy and equality, organising many demonstrations.

Peoples living in northern Syria also demanded an end of the policy of denial imposed by the Baath regime.

Rojava and Northern Syrian women with their various features began to take the lead in the struggle that developed. The essence of the work carried out in the struggle in Northern Syria and Rojava was a struggle for democracy of the peoples, but it was women who added their particular flavour to this.

Öcalan’s ideas formed the basis of the organization

In Rojava and Northern Syria women had the lead of the demonstrations and there is no doubt that the ideological and practical perspective of the struggle was taken from the philosophy of the PKK (Kurdistan Worker’s Party) leader Abdullah Öcalan. They were against the regional and international conspiracy.

In Rojava and Northern Syria, women set up their own organization in 2005 and called it Yekitiya Star.

Yekitiya Star, the first step in the struggle for women’s liberation, gradually reached a new level of organization in political, military, social, diplomatic and cultural fields with the beginning of the revolution.

Although in the region it was above all Kurdish women who were involved in the freedom struggle and organization, soon other women from the whole region were incorporated and joined both the struggle and the organisation.

In this way, the women’s organization that started as Yekitiya Star soon widened to include various ethnic and religious structures and went on to cover various fields such as political, military and social.

Women strengthened their solidarity in the Syrian revolution

Following the slogan of strengthening the solidarity of women in the Syrian revolution, Yekitiya Star founded the Syrian Women’s Initiative that carried out many different works.

The preparatory meeting of the Syrian Women’s Initiative under the leadership of Yekitiya Star was organized in the Cizire region with the slogan “Whatever their nation, belief and society, the women of Cizire are one”.

The Syrian Women’s Initiative foundation conference was held in Qamishlo on 28 March and the first office was opened in the same Qamishlo on 17 November.

Training programs were organized for women in different parts of Rojava and Northern Syria. In the last period, trainings were held in the new liberated areas. In Afrin, Kobane and Cizire, Mala Jin (Women’s House) were opened.

The understanding was that women should be able to solve their problems, to implement social justice principles, to provide social development against reactionary minds, to participate in all spheres of society for an ecological, democratic and free society.

On 21 January 2014, the Democratic Autonomous Administration and the Women’s Council were established. This enhanced the opportunities and projects for women to be carried out in the fields of administration, diplomacy and economy.

From Zehra Penaber to Raqqa: Liberation Operations

Kobane city has witnessed many historical and heroic epics.

Women’s Defense Units (YPJ), in this city, have resisted the patriarchal system in the name of all women and received support from women all over the world.

After ISIS attacked Kobane on 15 September 2014, women got actively involved in defending the city against the mercenaries that threatened the world and imposed slavery on women.

Women fighters took their place in the front lines throughout the resistance, and carried out many actions.

Arin Mirkan became a symbol of the fight with the action she carried out on 5 October 2014.

Zehra Penaber, Hebun Derik and Evindar, are among the legendary commanders whose names will go down in history. They showed the whole world that women can defend themselves and defeat the ISIS mercenaries.

Avesta and Barin, symbols of Afrin resistance

Women have gained historical achievements against the invading Turkish army and its mercenary allies through the legendary resistance carried out in the Afrin mountains.

Like Arin Mirkan, Avesta Xabur has become a legendary symbol in the struggle for liberty of all women of the world thanks to her resistance in Afrin.

Barin Kobane is another woman whose name has been written in the history of women’s resistance.

Barin Kobane, like Arin and Avesta, have opened the way to many more Barins, Arins, and Avestas who are ready to fight against ISIS and against fascism in the Resistance of the Age.

YPG General Command celebrates 12th anniversary of the Rojava Revolution

The YPG said in a statement that "the Rojava Revolution is not solely for Kurds but for all humanity striving for freedom, equality and justice."


ANF
NEWS DESK
Friday, 19 July 2024

The General Command of the People’s Defense Units (YPG) "proudly and joyfully celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Rojava Revolution with our people, the families of our martyrs, and the global community. This day, July 19th, symbolizes not only our people’s independence and resistance but also the dawn of a new era in the history of Kurdistan and the broader Middle East."

In a statement the YPG said: "We solemnly honor all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect this revolution. Their resistance against ISIS, the occupying Turkish state, and other hostile forces led to the liberation of the peoples of Syria and western Kurdistan and significantly impacted global security. Their heroism was pivotal in thwarting the extremist ideologies that threatened humanity.

The Rojava Revolution, which commenced on 19 July 2012, demonstrated that no armed or reactionary force can withstand the will of a determined and resilient people. This revolution has become a beacon of hope for freedom, not only for the Kurdish people but for all the peoples of the Middle East.

Today, our revolution influences a vast region, from establishing an egalitarian and just society in Syria to transforming the political paradigm of the Middle East and developing new models of democracy worldwide. This movement has paved the way for a new governance model based on direct democracy, gender equality, and ecological sustainability. Amid regional turmoil, Rojava has become a living example of the peaceful coexistence of diverse peoples and cultures."

The statement continued: "One of the revolution’s most significant achievements is the creation of a multicultural and multilingual society where Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Syriacs, Armenians, and other groups coexist harmoniously. Simultaneously, the empowerment of women in society and politics, a cornerstone of our revolution, has inspired the entire region. The women of Rojava, with their achievements in both the battlefield and societal development, have redefined traditional perceptions of women’s roles and have become pioneers of social change throughout the Middle East.

We have demonstrated that in the Middle East, often characterized by ethnic conflicts and disputes, peaceful coexistence is not only possible but can form the foundation of a robust and progressive society. Furthermore, our revolution has shown that despite all internal and external assaults, the will of the people to resist can prevail. The defeat of terrorist groups such as al-Nusra and ISIS since 2012, and the successful defense against the attacks by the occupying Turkish state since 2016, attest to this. The resolve for coexistence and the capacity to protect it have thwarted these aggressions."

The statement added: "Let this day be a testament to our ongoing struggle for peace, equality, and justice in our region and across the globe. We call upon all peace-loving and democratic forces worldwide to continue supporting this unique endeavor. The Rojava Revolution is not solely for Kurds but for all humanity striving for freedom, equality, and justice.

On this occasion, we once again gratefully remember all our immortal martyrs who gave their lives for the cause of building and safeguarding this revolution. We pledge to continue this march to realize their dreams and persist in our struggle to protect our people and our revolution."

KCK: We salute the Revolution of Rojava and value the ongoing discussions in Syria

On the 12th anniversary of the Rojava Revolution, KCK salutes the peoples and defenders of revolution with respect, and commemorates with respect, love, and gratitude all the martyrs who gave their lives in the development and defense of the revolution.


ANF
BEHDINAN
Friday, 19 July 2024


The Co-Presidency of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council released a statement on the 12th anniversary of the Rojava Revolution.

The KCK statement on Friday includes the following:

"On July 19, 2012, the people and their revolutionary forces in Rojava made a historic decision to liberate the region, starting from Kobane. This historical step soon resulted in the revolution of Rojava and the development of the democratic system of North and Eastern Syria. Today we are celebrating the 12th anniversary of this historical development. We congratulate on the occasion of this historical development the peoples of Rojava and North and East Syria in particular, all the people of Kurdistan, the Arab, Armenian, Assyrian, and Turkmen peoples, all the peoples of Syria and the Middle East, the oppressed peoples of the world, all women and youth, and all revolutionary, democratic, and libertarian forces.

On the 12th anniversary of the revolution of Rojava, we salute the peoples and defenders of the revolution with respect, and we commemorate with respect, love, and gratitude all the martyrs who gave their lives in the development and defense of the revolution. We bow with respect in front of their precious memories, and we reiterate our promise to live up to their legacy.

It is essential to always remember and commemorate the internationalists who became a part of one of the most meaningful and greatest solidarities in history. People from all over the world came, fought, and struggled on the battlefields to defend the revolution of Rojava. Many internationalist friends were martyred in this struggle. We also remember them with great respect and gratitude. As the Kurdish people and the peoples of the Middle East, we owe them an infinite debt. We once again express our endless love and respect for them and our gratitude to our international friends who have fought tirelessly for the revolution and the freedom of the Kurdish people and all the peoples of the Middle East.

Through its character, the revolution of Rojava has brought upon new achievements and created new values for all humanity; it has gone down in history as a new development in the universal march for the freedom of peoples, women, and oppressed classes. The revolution of Rojava has developed on the legacy of the historical freedom struggle of the oppressed against exploitation, inequality, and injustice. It is rooted in history. As a result of being based on Leader Apo’s [Abdullah Öcalan's] philosophy and paradigm, it has reached a new stage in the history of revolutions. With the paradigm of Democratic Modernity and the ideology of a democratic, ecological society based on women’s liberation, Leader Apo has brought up an important solution to the social problem of our time. Leader Apo has offered humanity the most advanced, conscious, and organized system to overcome both the five thousand years of human exploitation and Capitalist Modernity, which has brought society and nature face-to-face with destruction due to its greed for maximum profit. Based on this, the revolution of Rojava has been the most important and advanced development of the 21st century. This is what makes it so meaningful.

The revolution, by creating a system of self-administration under the name of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria, has brought a solution to the problems faced by revolutions throughout history. Being based on women’s liberation, it overcame the male-dominated mentality, which is the cause of all exploitation, and like this it enabled the development of free consciousness. These fundamental achievements have made this revolution the most important and meaningful development of our time.

The Rojava revolution and the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria have proved their maturity by managing to resist and survive against all kinds of attacks from the beginning until today. This success has been achieved through the integrated struggle of the peoples, revolutionary forces, and international solidarity. It is very important that this struggle continues with further development in such a period when the dangers aimed at suffocating the revolution continue to increase. In this regard, we call on all the peoples of North and Eastern Syria, the revolutionary forces of Rojava, the Middle East, and the forces of international solidarity to continue and develop the struggle to defend the revolution.

The Turkish state and the fascist AKP-MHP regime, which did not give up its genocidal, colonialist mentality, have been attacking from the beginning to the present day with the aim of eliminating the revolution. They were willing to enter into all kinds of dirty relationships for this interest. They organized all reactionary and fascist gangs and mercenaries, particularly ISIS, and attacked North and East Syria. When they could not echieve this, they themselves directly attacked and occupied parts of Rojava and Syrian lands. They established a regime of plunder and oppression in the occupied territories, changed the demography, and led to the emergence of all kinds of inhumane practices. They have resorted to all kinds of methods to prevent the development of a democratic solution in Syria where the peoples live together equally. They have consciously lured millions of Syrians to Turkey, have strengthened mercenaries to deepen the conflicts, and have tried to turn the peoples against each other. The fascist chief, Tayyip Erdogan, has created a very dangerous regime with a backward and neo-ottomanist mentality. This reactionary, fascist, neo-ottomanist regime is the main cause of the deepening of the problems and conflicts in Syria and the lack of a solution.

We consider it crucial to solve the problems in Syria democratically, equally, and within the integrity of Syria through dialogue and negotiations. The solution to the problems in Syria is only possible with this understanding and method. As the freedom movement, we consider this very important and support it. Everyone who cares about the future of Syria should be making such an effort. On this basis, we call on everyone to act according to this approach and call on everyone, especially the Syrian state, who are in favor of solving the problems and who are concerned about living together fraternally and equally within the integrity of Syria, to solve their problems through dialogue. If this is achieved, the fascist chief Tayyip Erdogan’s plans to destroy Syria and make the Syrian peoples break against each other will come to naught.

Once again, we heartily congratulate on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the Rojava Revolution, which resembles the common values of humanity. We call on everyone to show more solidarity with the Rojava Revolution. And we also call on the peoples of Kurdistan to take a strong stance against the occupation and annexation of southern Kurdistan and to stand in solidarity."

Sozdar Dêrik: A revolution based on the people cannot be defeated

Emphasising the invincibility of a revolution with a strong organisation and a populist strategy, YPJ-SDF General Command Member Sozdar Dêrik said, “We'll protect our people and our revolution with stronger and bigger revolutions in the coming processes."


HÎVDA HEBÛN
HESEKÊ
Friday, 19 July 2024

Sozdar Dêrik, a member of the YPJ (Women’s Defense Units) and SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) General Command, spoke to ANF on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the 19 July Rojava Revolution.

Sozdar Dêrik stated that the peoples, women and revolutionary forces have come to this day with their struggle and labour and that they have gained the will to govern themselves. “We may be subjected to further attacks in the coming periods or years. We must make the most of every moment. We must defend the values of revolution, young and old alike.”

Sozdar Dêrik started her speech by congratulating Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the martyrs of the revolution, comrades in the struggle, the people and all mothers on the 19 July Revolution and pointed out the importance of July for them. Dêrik said, “The fact that the Rojava Revolution took place in this month, and that July is the month of great resistance in the history of the freedom struggle, of course makes it much more meaningful. We also held the 4th YPJ conference in this month."

Remarking that the 19 July Revolution took place with women's labour and women's resistance, Sozdar Dêrik stated the following: "A revolution made by women never loses. A woman is the mother in society, she is also the one who embodies all the values of society and brings society into existence. In this sense, she constitutes the representation of society. The 19 July Revolution started in Kobanê with Comrade Jînda's cry for freedom. The revolution led by women has a very valuable meaning. It is about claiming one's own existence. Living in such a revolution for years requires great labour, sacrifice and resistance.

A revolutionary process, struggle and war continued without stopping even for a moment. Our people also participated in this process of revolution and struggle in the best way. Of course, there are still difficulties and shortcomings. No revolution has ever taken place without cost and pain. If we are looking for what is comfortable, we are fooling ourselves. The attacks against the revolution continue, as does the determination to resist and fight against this as on the first day. As a people and society, we cannot say that everything is complete. However, we know very well that we can overcome all the difficulties experienced. We have fought against gang organisations such as ISIS and al-Nusra, which attack the values of all humanity and want to destroy societies. They wanted to condemn the whole world to darkness. When people saw their flags, they ran away. Just their names were enough to instill fear in people. We fought against such a darkness and barbaric reality. For this reason, we are not a people who will escape from such difficulties and reality.

The most correct line, the most correct struggle, the greatest resistance in the Middle East was experienced on these lands. We do not underestimate the struggle of other peoples in the Middle East. Currently, many peoples living in the Middle East are still suffering a lot, being subjected to great injustice and oppression. They are also struggling. However, it should be well known that a revolution with a strong organisation and a populist strategy cannot be defeated. We have come to this day with the labour and struggle of our people. We have the will to govern ourselves. We need to protect this.

The only strategy of the forces against us today is aimed at the liquidation of this revolution. They see this revolution as their enemy. However, we have not declared anyone as an enemy, we have defended our values, our will and our lands. Our struggle will continue in the same way from now on. But we will not remain silent against any attack directed against us. We have relied on our own strength so far, which shows that our revolution has progressed successfully until today.

When we look at the examples in the world, we have seen especially in the case of Afghanistan that those who do not rely on their own strength and cannot create the power of solution in themselves lose. Since the administration, military command and the will of that people could not show the power and will to organise itself and turn itself into a power, it had to go back a hundred years. In order for us not to face such an end, in order for our people and peoples not to face attacks against their will, language, culture and values once again, we must embrace the revolution in every way. Of course, this can be achieved through struggle, resistance and trust in one's own strength.

We welcome July with enthusiasm, pride and celebrations. Especially as a military force, we proudly welcome July as a great symbol of resistance marching towards freedom and victory. It is an honour for us to share the values and gains created with the people. On this basis, as a military force, we pledge to protect these values. We may be subjected to further attacks in the coming periods or years.

In this sense, we must make the most of every moment. We must organise and prepare ourselves as if there would be an attack now. Everyone, young and old alike, must prepare themselves to protect the values of the revolution. We must celebrate our revolution in this spirit. However, if we do not have a strong organisation, the attacks against us might demoralise us. A great special war is being waged against us. On the one hand, Erdogan himself is running from here to there, on the other hand, he sends his foreign minister everywhere and wants to hold talks with many states.

All these efforts are aimed at liquidating the people's revolution, the values and achievements of the revolution. We will not allow this. Of course, we do not say this only for our own people. We are against any policy that is directed against all societies and peoples. We are not a party to the occupation of any country's territory; we are against it. In this sense, the necessary struggle will be fought for the protection of the whole world, peoples, the Middle East and Syria. We exist for this. We are the result of the struggle and resistance of all peoples, women, revolutionary forces. We are aware of this, and we will wage a strong struggle for this. On this basis, we congratulate all our people and the Syrian peoples on the 19 July Revolution. We will protect our people with stronger and bigger revolutions in the coming processes."