HPG commander Gülistan Gülhat: We are more determined than ever to win freedom

In the mountains of Kurdistan, the guerrillas warmly celebrate the Newroz festival and thus the 50th anniversary of the start of the Kurdish freedom movement. The Newroz celebration was attended by Central Command of the People’s Defense Forces (HPG) Gülistan Gülhat, HPG commanders Xeyri Xerzan, Dijwar Sason as well as commanders of the women’s guerrilla YJA Star. The celebration and military ceremony was attended by hundreds of HPG and YJA Star guerrillas. Such a large ceremony in the mountains of Kurdistan once again proves the strength of the guerrillas, who are able to organize large events safely despite the Turkish attacks. With this celebration, the guerrillas also sent a signal to counter the claims of Turkish propaganda that they had been defeated.

During the military ceremony, commander Gülistan Gülhat said: “First of all, the freedom guerrillas of Kurdistan congratulate Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] on the Newroz festival. We send him our love and respect. In the person of Mazlum Doğan, Rahşan and Zekiye, I would like to remember all those who fell in the freedom struggle and wish the Kurdish people, humanity, the mothers of the fallen, the comrades in the prisons and the freedom fighters: a happy Newroz.”

“More determined than ever”

Commander Gülhat continued: “All nations have their holidays. With Mazlum Doğan, Newroz reached its peak. With the emergence of the PKK, Newroz became even more important. Newroz became even more a day of resistance, joy and revenge. Newroz is a day when the Kurdish people are resurrected and gaining their freedom, expressing their will and fighting for their identity. We are more determined than ever to move towards the freedom of the Kurdish people and the peoples of the region.”

After the military ceremony, the fighters of HPG and YJA Star started the celebration. Guerrillas told ANF interview that this year will be a year of revenge and the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan will be enforced. The fighters danced around the Newroz fire and shouted slogans like “Bijî Rêber Apo”, “Rache” and “Bijî Newroz”.

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