DİHA - Dicle News Agency

KOBANÊ (DİHA) - Kobanê Canton administration has announced that an investigation has been launched into the massacre committed by ISIS gangs and their supporters against civilians in Kobanê town of West Kurdistan, Rojava, on June 25.

Calling for an examination by the United Nations and international institutions, the administration demanded the recognition of the massacre as “a genocide against the Kurdish people and humanity”. The press conference on behalf of the Kobanê Canton administration was attended by Executive Assembly Co-President Xalid Berkel, Defense Council President İsmet Şêx Hesen, Health Assembly President Welat Kobanê and dozens of council members.

The press release on behalf of the administration was read in Kurdish by Dilîşan Îbiş from Dengê Kobanê FM Radio. Recalling that the savage attack by ISIS gangs at 05.00 on June 25, Thursday, was also supported by some circles, the press release read; "The Turkish government and the Syrian National Coalition following in the footsteps of the Turkish state, which back the gangs, made an effort to cover up their role in this massacre by means of statements and press reports. The basis for this massacre was, however, formed by these circles themselves which wanted to render the Girê Spî victory and uniting of the Cizîr and Kobanê cantons ineffective, and to eliminate the advance in Operation Commander Rubar Qamishlo."

'We will protect our people against every attack'

The statement on behalf of the Kobanê Canton administration pointed out that this massacre was perpetrated not for military but for political and societal purposes and consequences, and primarily aimed to obviate the fraternity of peoples, a Democratic Nation and Democratic Syria by making Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian-Syriac peoples confront each other.

"Everyone needs to know that we side with living together in peace and fraternity with all peoples. We are not an offensive or a threat force against anyone, or any of our neighbors. Yet, it must be known also that we will be defending our people, land and values in the face of any kind of attack, no matter from where and whom it comes", the statement underlined.

'233 people martyred, 273 wounded'

The statement, according to which 233 people were martyred, mostly women and children, and 273 were wounded in the massacre, continued; "We bow respectfully before our martyrs and offer condolences to their families and the Kurdistan people, also wishing a speedy recovery to those wounded. We promise our people to avenge our martyrs and lead our struggle for a Democratic Syria and Democratic- Autonomous Kurdistan to victory, whatever it may cost and even if one single Kurdish youth is left."

'Our people must be on alert for any attack'

The statement read by Dilîşan called on the people of Rojava to fulfill all their responsibilities, to be on the alert for any danger and attack, and to inform asayesh (public security) forces in the event of a suspicious situation. "Women and children should act in line with their responsibilities and join the asayesh and YPG/YPJ forces. The public self-defense forces must be strengthened on the basis of an active participation from neighborhoods, villages to the cities."

'The massacre will be investigated'

Noting that the administration of the Kobanê Canton, with all its institutions and establishments, will investigate the massacre, the statement said; "Issues of failures and deficiencies will all be identified and paid for. We will share the outcomes of the investigation with our people too. In the strongest terms, we will bring those behind this massacre to account. Our will for freedom will never take a step back."

'UN must send a delegation to Kobanê'

The statement on behalf of the Kobanê Canton administration called on all international humanitarian organizations and agencies, the United Nations in the first place, to fulfill their responsibilities and send a delegation to Kobanê to investigate this savage massacre and recognize it as “a genocide against the Kurdish people and humanity”. It added that this call also addressed to all circles, organizations and institutions in Kurdistan.

(nt)