HPG commanders Êrîş Garzan and YJA-Star guerrilla Zîlan Aydın made assessments on the anniversary of the 15 August Initiative. Both guerrillas stated that this breakthrough carried in it the spirit of success.

HPG commander Êrîş Garzan, commemorated all the martyrs of the revolution and saluted Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan and the Kurdish people on the anniversary of the 15 August 1984 initiative, when the first bullet was fired against the Turkish state.

Garzan said: “15 August is known as the day the first bullet was fired against the invaders. This bullet exploded in a mentality. But which mentality? It exploded in the mentality of those who made plans for centuries in Kurdistan saying that the Kurds were disappearing.”

It was important for Kurds to believe in their own strength

YJA-Star guerrilla Zîlan Aydın saluted Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan and the architect of the 15 August Initiative, guerrilla commander Mahsum Korkmaz (Agit), and all the guerrillas who took part in the Bazên Zagrosê and Cenga Xabûr campaign against the Turkish invasion attacks.

Guerrilla Aydın said: “15 August has an important meaning not only for the Kurdish people, but also for the entire Middle East and the peoples of the world who want freedom. It was important for the Kurdish people to believe in their own strength, stay loyal to their land and protect their will.”

Guerrilla Aydın continued: “We can see the spirit of Comrade Agit. 15 August is not just an action against the occupation. At the same time, it showed the way of democracy and the building of moral-political society. Commander Agit is no ordinary person. His natural love for people and his unity with the Kurdish people are striking. The people resisted, took courage from him and started the struggle in this way. When the first bullet was fired, it was the power and fury of the struggle, the anger of vengeance and will. The spirit of August 15 led to the emergence of the spirit of serhildan (rebellion).

HPG commander Êrîş Garzan, said that 15 August once again “lighted up the whole of Kurdistan with hope like fire” and added: “It enabled the Kurdish people to return to their essence and revolt. This was carried out under the philosophy and thoughts of Leader Apo and the leadership of Comrade Agit. The revolution in this Kurdistan, from Dersim to Şaho, from Miştenûr to Qendil, takes its inspiration, power, energy from the 15 August Initiative. Again, the resistance carried out in Avaşîn, Zap and Metîna regions are also inspired by this spirit.”

'We are so close to victory'

YJA Star guerrilla Aydın said: “Comrade Agit's spirit is the spirit of struggle, courage and sacrifice that is always flowing, always continuing according to the needs of the process. This spirit will never remain in the dark and will always illuminate our way. On this basis, we are trying to eliminate the isolation of Leader Öcalan. We are so close to victory and we got there thanks to our own strength.”