People of Rojava paid tribute to Nûreddîn Sofî, a commander and leading figure of the Rojava Revolution, who was martyred on April 6, 2021, in the Garê region in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) during an attack by the occupying Turkish army while he was visiting former comrades. On the 5th anniversary of his martyrdom, he was commemorated at his grave in the Delîl Saroxan Cemetery of Martyrs in Qamishlo.
The commemoration ceremony, organized by the Council of Martyrs’ Families, was attended by thousands of people from the cities of Qamishlo, Amude, and Tirbespiye, as well as fighters from the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) and the YPJ (Women’s Defense Units), along with families of martyrs and prisoners.
The commemoration began with a minute of silence, followed by a military ceremony conducted by SDF and YPJ fighters.
Speaking at the ceremony, SDF commander Îsmet Şêx Hesen offered condolences to Nureddîn Sofî’s family, the Kurdish people, and Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, stating: “Commander Nureddîn Sofî trained thousands of fighters and commanders not only for Rojava but for the entire Kurdish people. It is impossible to describe his great efforts in words. There is not a single place in Kurdistan where Commander Nureddîn Sofî did not contribute. He struggled for the identity and rights of the Kurdish people and made no distinction between peoples. He was martyred while on duty. What is expected from all of us, especially the military forces, is to follow his cause. Martyrs are immortal, Nureddîn Sofî is immortal.”
Speaking on behalf of the Council of Martyrs’ Families, Necah Gulo stated that Nureddîn Sofî had brought Rojava to its current level through his efforts, adding: “He struggled until the day he fell. We wish success to our military forces and freedom to our prisoners.”
Hesen Koçer, Deputy Co-Chair of the Autonomous Administration Executive Council, stated: “One of those who taught us how to struggle is Comrade Nureddîn Sofî. Knowing him and following his path is a great honor. In his person, we commemorate all the martyrs of freedom.”
Referring to the continued attacks against North-East Syria, Koçer compared the recent attacks on Rojava to the February 15 conspiracy against Abdullah Öcalan, and said that the entire world tood behind these attacks. He added: “They wanted to eliminate the Kurds, but the resistance of our comrades and our people proved the fact that we will stand against genocide. We will continue to struggle for our martyrs and our imprisoned comrades.”
Speaking on behalf of the martyrs’ families, Hesen Hîmo said: “The promise given to the martyrs will be upheld. Martyr Nureddîn always said, ‘This people is worth sacrificing oneself for.’ He fought for his people and fell as a martyr.”
At the end of the ceremony, the crowd gathered around Nureddîn Sofî’s grave and laid flowers.
Leave a Reply