KCDK-E: Kobanê was a struggle for free humanity

The Kurdistan Democratic Societies Congress in Europe (KCDK-E) released a statement on the occasion of World Kobanê Day today, November 1. World Kobanê Day has been celebrated since November 1, 2014, when countless people worldwide took to the streets in solidarity with the resistance against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in Kobanê.

“Kobanê was a struggle for free humanity”

The umbrella organization’s statement said, “Seven years ago, the enemy of humanity, ISIS, attacked Kobanê to destroy the hope of the peoples of the Middle East and all the oppressed, the Rojava Revolution. In Kobanê, Kurdish women and youths fought against the terrorist group ISIS and gave their lives in this struggle. This resistance was a struggle for human dignity, for free humanity. In the Kobanê resistance, epics of courage were written and superhuman bravery was demonstrated. As KCDK-E, we respectfully and gratefully remember all those who participated in the resistance for freedom and equality in Kobanê. This resistance became hope for all humanity.

“We salute all those who stood up for Kobanê”

The whole world witnessed the 133-day Kobanê resistance. Everyone saw the nimbus of ISIS invincibility shattered in Kobanê. The course of history changed with the victory of Kobanê. For this reason, November 1 was declared ‘World Day of Solidarity with Kobanê’ by revolutionary, democratic, ecological movements, the women’s and peace movements, intellectuals, writers, Nobel Peace Prize winners, academics and mass democratic organizations. On November 1, we salute the peoples around the world who rose to stand up for the Kobanê resistance and build solidarity in the internationalist spirit. We celebrate the day of solidarity with Kobanê on November 1.

“The resisters have the last word”

Kobanê became a source of great morale and hope for all the oppressed, for the disregarded, the women and the struggling oppressed peoples. In Kobanê, the saying: ‘The last word is for the resisters’ came true. The dreams of the political Islamist AKP and Erdoğan to have ISIS as a neighboring state thus fell flat. That is why dictator Erdoğan has been attacking full of hatred and thirst for revenge since the liberation of Kobanê in 2014 until today: trustees are appointed in Northern Kurdistan, the HDP is wanted destroyed, the isolation on Imrali is deepened, Efrîn, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî were occupied and chemical weapons are used in Southern Kurdistan. Thus, occupation and massacres are wanted to be perpetuated.

But the resistance of the people of Kurdistan and their friends made this policy fail. The political, economic, diplomatic and social crises of the Turkish state became even more profound. Therefore, in the seventh year of liberation, if we stand up even more for Kobanê and Rojava and oppose the Turkish massacre policy, we can ensure an equal, free and common life.

As KCDK-E, we celebrate World Kobanê Solidarity Day on November 1 in the spirit of the resistance of that time and call on our people, intellectuals, artists, friends, the democratic forces and all freedom-loving people to stand up for Kurdistan, Rojava and Kobanê by experiencing resistance together in internationalist spirit.”