On 15 August 1984, the PKK fired “the first shot” in Eruh (Dih) in North Kurdistan. A 36-strong guerrilla force led by the legendary commander Mahsum Korkmaz - also known by his nom de Guerre Egîd ("the Brave") - carried out the first attack against the Turkish occupying forces that day. A military police barracks was selected for the action, which is considered the beginning of the armed struggle of the Kurdish liberation movement. One guard and one officer were killed, and the guerrillas did not suffer any casualties.

The People’s Defense Units (YPG) and Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) in North-East Syria conducted a military parade to mark the 39th anniversary of the 15 August initiative.

The YPG-YPJ military parade took place in the Sheikh Maqsoud (Şêxmeqsûd) and Ashrafiyah Eşrefiyê) neighborhoods Cemetery of Martyrs of Resistance in the Şiqeyêf region of Aleppo with the participation of members of Military Councils, political parties and civil society organizations.

Speaking here, YPJ Commander Rojda Efrîn congratulated the Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, mothers of martyrs and all peoples on the “Day of Resurrection”, as 15 August is called by the Kurdish people and the freedom movement.

Rojda Efrîn said, “On this date, commander and martyr Mahsûm Korkmaz fired the first bullet at the enemy front, starting the armed struggle. 15 August became the day of vengeance for the Kurdish people and the oppressed peoples and a move towards liberation from slavery.”

Remarking that the gains of revolution were made thanks to the labour and self-sacrifices of martyrs, Rojda Efrîn added: “We will continue to struggle on the path of 15 August, Day of Resurrection for the Kurdish people, and achieve further gains.”

The ceremony concluded with the slogans "Bê Serok jiyana nabe" (No Life Without the Leader) and ‘’Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" (Woman, Life, Freedom).