The Co-Presidency of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council released a statement paying tribute to victims of the attack in the Suruç district of Urfa on the Turkish-Syrian border on July 20, 2015. In the attack ten years ago, 33 people, mainly young activists, were killed by an ISIS jihadist who was under police surveillance, and over a hundred others were injured, some seriously.
The attack took place when around 300 volunteers gathered at the Amara Cultural Center in response to a call from the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF) to hold a press conference before their departure for Kobanê. The planned trip to Rojava was intended as an act of solidarity. The young people wanted to bring humanitarian aid and toys to the city destroyed by ISIS.
The KCK statement on Sunday includes the following:
“On July 20, 2015, a savage attack was carried out against activists of the Turkish socialist youth movement who were working for the reconstruction of Kobane and were located in Pirsûs [tr. Suruç] for this purpose. Thirty-three activists lost their lives, and dozens were injured. On the occasion of its anniversary, we once again, with all our anger, condemn this despicable attack, which targeted the unity and solidarity of the peoples. We commemorate the 33 comrades who fell as martyrs with great respect and gratitude. By commemorating them, we commemorate all the martyrs who gave their lives for the revolution and struggle for democracy and freedom. We reiterate that the common stance and struggle of our peoples will prevail, and on this basis, a historical reckoning of the massacres will be demanded.
The solidarity and struggle of the peoples play an important role in defending the Revolution of Rojava, which developed in response to the historical desire for freedom of the peoples of the Middle East. To this end, the solidarity and struggle developed by the revolutionary, democratic, socialist, and liberationist forces of the Turkish people have been of historical significance. This stance has brought about historical success in the defense and liberation of Kobane. The attack by Daesh on Kobane, which was the greatest threat to the Revolution of Rojava, was repelled as a result of this historical solidarity among the peoples, leading to the beginning of the military defeat of Daesh. With the defeat of Daesh in Kobane, not only the city but the whole revolution, which represents the historical desire for freedom of the peoples of the Middle East, was defended. This historic outcome has demonstrated the power and quality of the solidarity of the peoples. The comrades who fell as martyrs in Pirsûs are the symbols of this historic development and success. We remember them once again with great respect and gratitude, and we bow before their precious memories.
Our struggle, which has entered a new phase with the ‘Process of Peace and Democratic Society’, has further strengthened our belief in the peoples living together in freedom and equality and has brought us closer to realizing the ideals for which we have sacrificed our martyrs. Achieving this goal will be the greatest gift we can give to our martyrs and our peoples and the most appropriate response to the massacres. With this belief and conviction, we call on our peoples to further expand their democratic alliances and struggles and on revolutionary, democratic, and socialist forces to lead the way in this endeavor.”