On Wednesday 9th October 2019, the Turkish state began its long promised invasion of North-East Syria. Run by a Kurdish-led administration on the principles of direct democracy, pluralism, ecological justice, a cooperative economy and women’s liberation, it was the most peaceful and stable part of Syria. The movement leading the administration is the same movement that defeated ISIS, and has now been abandoned by the US-led coalition it assisted. They guard over 70,000 ISIS fighters, families and supporters, and in the last week more than 750 have escaped following Turkish bombing of prisons and detention camps. The Turkish state invasion is nothing short of an ISIS liberation mission, and we are witnessing their resurgence.

In less than a week of its expanded racist anti-Kurdish war in northern Syria the Turkish state and its Jihadist mercenaries have committed war crimes. They include ex-ISIS fighters, trained and equipped by the second largest army in NATO. Since March 2018 they have occupied Afrin in north-western Syria, committing crimes against humanity and ethnically cleansing the region of its Christian, Kurdish and Yazidi inhabitants. Now the same fate awaits North-East Syria’s population, not only Kurds but also Arabs, Armenians, Assyrians, Chechens, Khaldeans Turkmen, Syriacs and Yazidi.

This invasion is leading to a resurgence of ISIS, ethnic cleansing, and a new refugee crisis--over 70,000 have fled, but there is no safe haven left. Syria’s last hope for a democratic solution, beneficial to all its people, is being fast destroyed by a NATO army, and with it one of the most important examples of how to build a truly democratic, ecological and feminist society.

Over 11,000 people gave their lives in the struggle to defeat ISIS, including 8 British citizens, such as Anna Campbell, killed by a Turkish military airstrike in Afrin in March 2018. We will not ignore their sacrifice, we must #RiseUp4Rojava to stop the genocidal invasion of North-East Syria.

In solidarity with Kurds and all the people of North-East Syria we are appealing for funds for Heyva Sor who provide basic needs for people in conflict zones and those displaced by war in areas of the Middle East. Heyva Sor is Kurdish for Red Moon.

About Rise Up 4 Rojava

The turkish state is supported by weapon deals, worldwide governments and financial institutions. Without this support, the fascist state would not be able to occupy foreign territory like Afrin in Rojava, crackdown on uprisings led by the political opposition in Turkey and lead a dirty war against the kurdish liberation movement in North Kurdistan.

With an international overview and background information, we want to inform about this economical and political connection.

Where there is support for Turkeys’ fascism, there is also resistance. All over the world campaigns and actions against the arms sales to the Turkish state can be found. RU4R aims to link these different campaigns and their actions into a bigger context and struggles.

Find more information and our call on the webpage: https://riseup4rojava.org/call/