Centuries of struggle have now entered a new phase, strengthening hopes for a free future and leaving behind a profound legacy. In the free mountains, guerrillas, carrying forward this legacy inherited from fallen heroes, lit the fire of the Newroz of freedom with great enthusiasm. This year, Newroz is being celebrated in the free mountains with great fervor under the slogan “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and unity of the Kurdish people.”
From the early hours of the morning, guerrillas arriving from different areas gathered at the site where the Newroz fire would be lit, following extensive and well-organized preparations.
Stand up for Öcalan’s freedom and your own freedom
Once the guerrillas gathered in the celebration area, one of the commanders, Gulistan Gulhat, delivered a brief speech on the significance of the day. At the beginning of her remarks, Commander Gulhat invited the guerrillas to observe a minute of silence in memory of the fallen, and said: “First of all, on behalf of the Kurdistan freedom guerrillas, from the mountains of Kurdistan to Imralı, I celebrate Newroz, the festival of freedom, national unity and peace, with respect, gratitude, love and longing to Abdullah Öcalan. I commemorate with respect and gratitude all the martyrs of the freedom struggle, especially Mazlum Doğan, Zekiye, Rehşan and Sema, who made it possible for us to reach these days and gave meaning to Newroz. I bow respectfully before them and renew our promise of a free life.
Much can be said about Newroz. In the history of the Middle East, it is known as the day of the arrival of spring, of uprising, freedom and resistance. We also celebrate this meaningful day with all the people of Kurdistan, with the mothers of martyrs and guerrillas, with our comrades in prisons, and with all freedom fighters.
We believe that Öcalan’s paradigm, ideas and philosophy are the key to solving all problems. Everyone should know well that those who make dirty calculations over the Kurdish people during this process will fail. As the Kurdistan freedom guerrillas, we are a ring of fire. More than anyone, by understanding Öcalan, we want to fulfill our responsibilities as the People’s Defense Forces (HPG) and the Free Women’s Units (YJA-STAR).
On behalf of the Kurdistan freedom guerrillas, we call on all youth, mothers and the Kurdish people: On such a day, stand up most of all for Öcalan’s freedom and for your own freedom. Today is our day; Newroz is the day when the people reveal their truth.
We salute the Newroz celebrated in Amed (Diyarbakır) and once again celebrate Newroz of all Kurds and Kurdistan in the person of Öcalan, saying, ‘Bijî Serok Apo’ (Long live Abdullah Öcalan).”
Commander Gulistan Gulhat concluded her speech, after which the guerrillas joined the celebration with slogans. In a high-spirited atmosphere, a folklore group first took the stage, followed by the guerrilla choir performing songs. Later in the program, guerrillas sang songs upon request and performed the traditional play “Birê.”
At the end of the program, the Newroz fire was lit and halay (traditional Kurdish group dance) was danced around it.
We do not want bloodshed
One of the guerrilla commanders, Zinar Korkmaz, then shared his thoughts on Newroz. Korkmaz stated that they celebrate the 2026 Newroz for Abdullah Öcalan, the martyrs of the revolution, the families of the fallen, and all peoples, emphasizing that Newroz represents a day of freedom, resistance, and unity for the Kurdish people.
Commander Korkmaz continued: “The revolution led by Kawa the Blacksmith against the Assyrian Empire emerged as a result of the unity of the Kurdish people. The peoples of the region, under the oppression of Dehak, achieved their freedom through this unity. Therefore, today’s Newroz is also defined as the Newroz of unity and the freedom of Öcalan.
There are many Dehaks over Kurdistan. The movement of the time was the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has now dissolved itself and is referred to as the Apoist Movement. Under the leadership of the Apoist Movement, the unity of the peoples of the region will be achieved and freedom will be regained. This is not a dream or a fantasy, but a reality. The Apoist Movement has proven over 52 years that it can achieve this.
The process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan is a great opportunity for the peoples of the region. It is an important chance for the Kurdish people to achieve their freedom. The conditions are suitable, but the Middle East is engulfed in great conflict. On this occasion, we also celebrate the Newroz of our people in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat). They, too, are advancing toward freedom and revolution. We are ready to fulfill every duty required for the freedom of Kurdistan.
If Newroz is being celebrated in the mountains today, it is the result of great sacrifices. A major war has taken place over the past decade. Öcalan has carried out a great resistance in Imralı. The Kurdish people have proven that they cannot be destroyed. The colonial states in Kurdistan must accept this reality. Despite all attacks over 52 years, the Apoist Movement has not been defeated and has proven itself.
We want this process to be concluded through political and legal means, and we do not want bloodshed. As the Kurdish people, we can live freely together with the peoples of the region. We can achieve this freedom through Öcalan’s paradigm and socialism.”
Another guerrilla commander, Nûrhaq Erdal, delivered the following message: “First of all, we celebrate Newroz, the festival of freedom, in the person of Abdullah Öcalan, for all peoples and nations who seek freedom, and for our people who continue to stand today. Celebrating Newroz once again in these free areas, with such great enthusiasm and on a mass scale, holds deep meaning for us. This has been made possible thanks to Abdullah Öcalan’s ideas and philosophy, and the steps he has taken. Experiencing such a meaningful day is of great value to us. This year’s Newroz has once again turned into a great uprising. Once again, we celebrate Newroz for all our people.”
If our existence is not recognized, the war will continue
One of the guerrilla commanders, Kazım Botan, also congratulated all peoples, especially Abdullah Öcalan, on this year’s Newroz and expressed his thoughts as follows:
“We once again renew the promise we made in the memory of comrades Mazlum, Ronahî and Bêrîvan. Thanks to Öcalan and the martyrs, today we celebrate Newroz with great enthusiasm. A very intense war has taken place over the past ten years, but Öcalan intervened in the process and created a ground for negotiations. We remain committed to the process initiated by Öcalan.
If our existence is not recognized, the war will continue. We now want this war to come to an end and for the Call for Peace and a Democratic Society to succeed.”
We owe it to Öcalan and our martyrs
Guerrilla Amara Cûdî, stating that they are ready to take on all duties and responsibilities under the leadership of the YJA-STAR and alongside the freedom movement, expressed her feelings as follows:
“First of all, I celebrate Abdullah Öcalan’s Newroz. At the same time, I commemorate Mazlum Doğan, the Kawa of our time, and all Newroz martyrs, and I bow respectfully before them. We have paid a very heavy price in the war over the past ten years and lost many valuable comrades as martyrs. I remember them with respect.
Today, we have come together in the free mountains to celebrate Newroz with great enthusiasm and excitement. We feel indebted to Öcalan and to our martyrs. Our aim is to ensure Öcalan’s physical freedom. We will do everything in our power to ensure the success of this process and to secure his physical freedom.
Once again, I celebrate Newroz of all the people of Kurdistan in the person of Öcalan.”
This Newroz will pave the way for Öcalan’s physical freedom
Roza Dersîm, a guerrilla from the YJA-STAR, pointed out that this year’s Newroz would contribute to securing Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom and said:
“This year’s Newroz has a different meaning. It is also being seen as the Newroz of peace and democracy. For our movement, the people of Kurdistan, and all those who seek freedom, it represents a new year and a new beginning.
Together with our folklore group, we wanted to present a meaningful performance to our comrades. Some preparations had been made before, and we wanted to add a different dimension. The content includes themes such as war, the fall of women, and their rise again. We tried to express our messages in a different way. Within our means, we aimed to do our best and believe this will develop further.
Our goal was both to create a difference and to convey a message about preserving our culture. On this basis, we believe that this Newroz will pave the way for Öcalan’s physical freedom. From now on, we will continue to strengthen our struggle with the spirit of Mazlum and Rehşan. I celebrate Newroz for Öcalan and the people of Kurdistan.”
The celebrations, which continued throughout the day with great enthusiasm and strong participation, concluded in the evening with halay around the Newroz fire, accompanied by torches, fireworks, and the slogan “Bijî Serok Apo”.
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