Claudio Locatelli – fighter with the YPG Kurdish forces in Rojava
Claudio is an Italian journalist and media activist.
After working in the Middle East he decided to return and join the People’s Protection Unit (YPG) fighting in Rojava against ISIS and others.
Also to help the revolution which is building a new autonomous region.
Claudio has returned to Italy where he is speaking to us from his home town.
In this interview I wanted to ask some basic questions about why he decided to go to Rojava, and how his experience has informed his politics back home in Italy.
Some international fighters who fight in Rojava are under threat from their own governments when they return home. Claudio and I speak about this issue and the political motivations behind it.
As the story of Rojava has captured the hearts and minds of many drawing some to consider joining the Kurdish struggle, I asked Claudio what his advice would be to anyone thinking of travelling to Syria.
I am closely connected with some Iranian Kurds in Brisbane. In my experience most of them do not share the revolutionary goals of Rojava, such as the issue of gender. I discussed this with Claudio and he feels it important to add this comment.
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