The Zirgan district of North and East Syria is just 2 km from the region controlled by Turkey and its affiliated mercenaries. ANHA reports that Turkish forces and these armed mercenary gangs affiliated with the Turkish state have been bombing Zirgan every day since the beginning of July, and that they have now intensified their attacks on Zirgan villages on the frontlines with 28 more villages in the region now controlled by the mercenaries and 150.000 people becoming refugees in their own land.

The shells are being fired from Turkey’s base in Dawudiye village, and they are especially targeting the villages of Dede Ebdel, Xedrawî, Ûm Hermala, and El-Niwêhat according to ANHA. As a result of the shelling, houses have been badly damaged and one civilian was also seriously injured.

Local residents, like Memdûh Sêfo, think that the Turkish army’s aim is to take the control of the Zirgan district just as it controls Afrin (Efrîn), Ras al-Ayn (Serêkaniyê) and Tell Abyad (Girê Spî).

He stated that they have been living under this constant threat and risk of losing their lives since Turkey and it’s affiliated mercenary gangs began it’s daily bombarding of Zirgan with heavy weapons and rockets. “The mercenaries’ base is very close to our village and they shell us here very often.”

However, he underlines that he will not leave his home. “It is a tactic, they want to force us to leave our homes, but I will not go anywhere, this is my home, my land,” he said.

Memdûh Sêfo also thinks that one of the aims of the attacks is to change the demographic structure of the region. “They constantly bombard our region, with the aim of forcing us to leave, so that they will settle their own mercenaries here just as Turkey is doing in Afrin, Ras al-Ayn and Tell Abyad, it will change the demographic structure of the population and settle its supporters here, in our homes,” he said.

“As the people of North-East Syria, we are well aware of the invading Turkish state’s plans and what it wants to do in the region. The Turkish state is attacking relentlessly, regardless of religion or sect. Kurdish, Arab and Syriac people should not give up their lands”

Cemîl Mihemed is another resident in the region. He underlines the damage done to nature by the explosive shells dropping in the region. “They destroy our nature and also plunder our homes as well,” he said.

“Our animals die due to indiscriminate shelling, they aim to damage the property of the civilian population. Of course, the public is well aware of this. Turkey cannot defeat the will of our people.”