ALEPPO, SYRIA- On February 16, 2016, the neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud in Aleppo, Syria, came under a violent attack by dozens of mercenary groups, a day after the anniversary of the international conspiracy against leader Abdullah Ocalan. This attack occurred shortly after the liberation of the Tal Rifaat district from the same mercenaries, who were reportedly supplied by the Turkish occupation state.
Despite being faced with all types of weapons, including internationally prohibited toxic chemical gases, the people of Sheikh Maqsoud valiantly defended their neighborhood and managed to defeat the attacking groups. However, this resistance came at a heavy cost, with hundreds of residents becoming martyred or injured, and approximately 2,600 homes and shops destroyed, according to neighborhood council statistics.
The neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud has a deep connection to leader Abdullah Ocalan, as the people there had the opportunity to meet him during his time in Syria for nearly 20 years. With the Democratic Society Movement declaring a general mobilization in Sheikh Maqsoud, hundreds of residents, including both men and women, joined the People’s Protection Units and the Women’s Protection Units to form a strong defense against the mercenaries.
One striking aspect of the resistance was the active participation of women, who not only fought on the fronts but also played crucial roles in treating the wounded and preparing food for the fighters. This display of unity and resilience extended beyond the Kurdish community, as the Arab component of the neighborhood also actively took part in the resistance.
A fighter in the People’s Protection Units, Abu Yazan, reflected on the early days of the resistance, emphasizing the people’s insistence on self-defense and their solidarity with the forces defending the neighborhood. He acknowledged the historic resistance as a collective effort of all the residents of Sheikh Maqsoud. Additionally, the principles of revolutionary people’s war, as outlined by Ocalan in his book “The Sociology of Freedom,” served as a guiding philosophy for the community in repelling the invasion.
In conclusion, Abu Yazan pledged to continue the fight for physical freedom for Commander Abdullah Ocalan and the liberation of all occupied areas from the Turkish occupation state. The resistance in Sheikh Maqsoud serves as a powerful testament to the determination and unity of the people in the face of adversity.