At a time when attacks against northern Syria continue, the siege over Kobanê has still not been lifted. Eleven years later, Kobanê, once again targeted by ISIS and gangs, continues to resist through the determination of its people. Those who lost their loved ones in the city—liberated after the deaths of thousands in 2014 and remembered worldwide as an example of resistance—say that the renewed attacks will not succeed and that the gangs will once again be defeated, just as they were a decade ago.
Rahime Çelik, who lost her son Sertip Çelik in the clashes in Kobanê, said, “They can neither destroy our hope nor erase those days,” drawing attention to how the plots against Kobanê will fail. Sertip Çelik (Serxwebun Amed), while a university student, set out for Suruç after news of the attacks on Kobanê appeared in the media. Saying, “I cannot just watch what is happening,” in response to the massacres, Sertip Çelik left his studies and went to Kobanê. He was in the city during the days of the Suruç massacre and, after two months of fighting in the clashes, was martyred. After his death, his body was retrieved by his family and he was buried in Amed. His mother Rahime Çelik recounted that she told her son the news of Kobanê’s liberation at his grave, saying, “I told him not to worry, not to think anything was left unfinished. Kobanê is free, the children are free now.”
“My son could not remain silent”
Rahime Çelik explained that both her son and the other young people gave her strength, and that with this morale the people once again came together and stood united as before. “A few months after my son left, he called us. When he called, he spoke to us smiling, asked how we were doing. He said their situation was difficult. Two days after that call, we received the news of his martyrdom. He always said their morale was high. He said they were resisting despite the attacks. That phone call was like a farewell. After that conversation, we could never reach him again. When I see the morale of those young people, my hope grows even stronger,” she said.
“Kobanê will teach them a lesson again”
Rahime Çelik said that the same plans are being put into action again, ten years after that resistance and victory achieved through unity and struggle. “After Kobanê was liberated, we were all happy. We rejoiced, thinking our children had died so that no one else’s children would, that the Kurdish people would no longer suffer. Now, ten years later, they are attacking this city and this people again. We know that, just like ten years ago, Kobanê will be liberated again. Our hope and morale are very high. There is the blood and the story of many young people there. Until the very last young person remains, I know the people of that city will resist well. We will continue to protect our hope,” she said.
“We will continue to protect hope”
Saying that they will continue to struggle for the lands for which their children gave their lives, Rahime Çelik concluded with these words: “With Kobanê, they want to destroy a people’s hope and future; that is why they keep attacking. They do not want the Kurdish people to have a status. They do not allow this people to live in their own mother tongue, with their own will. Just like ten years ago, we will once again protect that city with the same unity and morale and make its voice heard around the world. With these attacks, they do not even let our children rest in their graves. But neither we nor their comrades will allow this. We will continue to struggle so that those who left can look at today with peace. In recent weeks, our nights and days have become one, our hearts are burning, but still we will not say ‘enough.’”