The SDF are in favour of solving all problems through dialogue, but if there is an attack, they will resist together with the people, said Syrian Democratic Forces commander-in-chief, Mazloum Abdi, on 3 June.

Turkey claims to be responding to security concerns, but as seen in the example in Afrin (Efrîn), Turkey disrupted the security of the regions it previously invaded, and people were forced to migrate, he explained.

Turkey’s attack would create a new humanitarian crisis, and displace original inhabitants and IDPs, he argued.

“There are 2 million people, half of whom are refugees, in the regions that Turkey says it will attack, people will have to migrate.”

The SDF have been preparing for this war of self-defence and have learnt from the attacks in Serêkanî and Girê Spî, Abdi said. “I do not believe that Turkey will win.”

There are families of ISIS members in some of the camps in these regions. Abdi fears it will be difficult to keep these secure, and that Turkey’s attack will cause problems in all of Syria and surrounding countries.

He emphasies that the a new escalation will negatively affect the campaign against ISIS.

The SDF are in talks with the US, Russia, and the Syrian administration on the issue, Abdi said. “International powers should raise their voices against Turkey more loudly and visibly. Some agreements have been made before and we have kept our part. Turkey should keep its part.”