The July 19 Revolution, also known as the Rojava Revolution or the North-East Syria Revolution, was built through the sacrifices, efforts, and blood of thousands of martyrs and the wounded. Today, it has become a source of hope and inspiration for the peoples of Syria and the Middle East.
Faisal Abu Layla from Manbij (Minbic) joined the ranks of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in 2014 as a young Arab. In 2024, he was wounded during the resistance at the Tishrin Dam and lost one of his legs. As a war veteran, Faisal shared his views on the North-East Syria Revolution and recounted how he joined it.
War veteran Faisal Abu Layla from Manbij said he joined the ranks of the SDF to defend the dignity of the peoples of Syria and continued: “I had heard about Abdullah Öcalan’s ideas and philosophy. The resistance of the fighters and the peoples also left a deep impact on me. After joining, I took part on many fronts. In the end, I went to the Tishrin Dam area by my own choice. I saw with my own eyes the honorable resistance of Kurdish and Arab youth. Without doubt, this courage and determination emerged entirely thanks to Öcalan and the martyrs. During the resistance we said: ‘Even if we fall as martyrs, our surviving comrades will continue our path and protect our achievements.’ No force can stand against this faith.”
The heavy price of freedom
Faisal Abu Layla from Manbij underlined that the resistance was not only carried out by male and female fighters but also strengthened by the support of peoples from all across North-East Syria who came to defend the Tishrin Dam. He continued: “The words of martyr Zehra, ‘We are greater than death,’ and martyr Bavê Teyar, ‘We are not afraid of death,’ will serve as a guide in the struggle of peoples for resistance and freedom. During that period I was also wounded. When I lost my leg, I was deeply affected. Then I said: my life is dedicated to Öcalan and my martyred comrades. The price of freedom is heavy. At the end of the struggle for freedom, one becomes either a veteran or a martyr. Everything is for building a dignified and equal life. As Abdullah Öcalan said, ‘Veterans are living martyrs.’ We veterans must bring Abdullah Öcalan’s words into life.”
Faisal Abu Layla also emphasized the process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan and said: “Abdullah Öcalan made a call for peace and a democratic society. This call is a great opportunity for the Middle East and the entire world. As fighters, veterans, and peoples, our fundamental duty is to play our role for Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom. Only thanks to his ideas and philosophy can peoples protect themselves from wars and conflicts. As a son of the Arab community, I can say that our revolution is a revolution of humanity. It embodies all the noble values of being human.”