Born in the patriotic village of Gûzereş in the Gever (Yüksekova) district of Colemêrg (Hakkari), Ferhat Akdeniz grew up in a family deeply committed to Kurdish values. However, in 1991, his family was forced to move to the center of Hakkari due to the pressures carried out by the Turkish state. 

Shaped by resistance 

Hakkari is renowned for its unwavering patriotic stance. During that time, its people organized numerous uprisings against the Turkish state. Despite facing relentless oppression and brutality, the Akdeniz family upheld their principles and maintained their dignity. This courageous stance left a profound impression on Ferhat, who grew up navigating the contradictions of his reality: on one side, the values instilled by his family, and on the other, the stark hostility of the state. 

After his cousin (his maternal uncle's daughter) fell martyr, and after constantly seeing the resistance of guerrilla fighters, and the state's brutal attacks against the Kurdish people, Ferhat’s determination grew. By 2010, he resolved to join the guerrilla ranks, stepping into a new life within the Freedom Movement. He took the name Dilgeş Zîlan Gûzereş. 

Guerrilla life: A path to honor 

Dilgeş Zîlan began his guerrilla journey in Xakurkê, where he underwent rigorous training. Guerrilla life deeply influenced him. As he expressed in his writings, the guerrilla struggle represented a place of heroism and a path to give life meaning. To him, guerrilla warfare was not merely a way of life but a profound defense of truth and human dignity. He viewed it as both an honor and a responsibility. 

He operated across various regions, including Başûr, Rojava, and Bakûrê Kurdistan, fulfilling leadership roles and standing out as a distinguished fighter. 

On 26 August 2023, Dilgeş Zîlan fell martyr during an enemy attack in the Farqîn district of Amed (Diyarbakır), alongside his comrades Berxwedan Farqîn (Hanifi Saygı) and Mervan Wan (Muhterem Koç). 

Kurds knew themselves thanks to the PKK

Dilgeş Zîlan was known not only for his bravery but also for his insightful understanding of life and struggle. His determination was evident in his words, his actions, and the battles he fought. 

From his diary, we can understand his perspective on guerrilla life and its transformative effect on him personally. In the excerpts from his diary I am publishing here, he reflected on the Turkish state’s attacks in the Garê region in 2022 and the steadfast resistance of his comrades. 

"To define guerrilla life, it is the embodiment of courage and sacrifice. When I first encountered this life, I wanted to understand it deeply. The guerrilla territories were places where honorable people waged a struggle for dignity. As a Kurd, I believe that anyone who can proudly say, ‘I am Kurdish,’ should take part in this struggle. If there is a search for freedom, the path undoubtedly leads to the guerrilla ranks. 

My decision to join the guerrillas cannot be separated from the social and historical reality of our people. On one side, there is the oppressive reality of the enemy; on the other, there is the honorable fight for survival by our people. Resolving this duality requires a sincere commitment and determined struggle." 

A legacy of resistance 

Dilgeş Zîlan's life is a testament to his unwavering dedication to justice and freedom for the Kurdish people. Through his bravery, he became a symbol of resistance, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire those who seek truth and dignity in the face of oppression.

Again, in his words: "When I embraced guerrilla life, I didn’t face difficulties. As Kurdish people, we came to know ourselves through this way of life and discovered our true identity. The PKK embodies a transformative spirit that reshapes and elevates individuals. Undoubtedly, we grew wave after wave, nurtured by this profound truth. We began to march toward our dreams with every ounce of strength we had. Among the comrades who left a lasting impact on me during my guerrilla life was Rizgar Amanos. His words still resonate deeply: ‘A person is born with honor. No one can grant or take away this honor. What matters is fighting until the end of one’s life to protect it.’

These words of Comrade Rizgar Amanos profoundly influenced me. They guided me to approach every decision and struggle with greater awareness and strength. In essence, he taught me how a commander should fight and how to guide and empower those around them effectively. 

As long as the PKK exists, our struggle for freedom will continue

The countless experiences and lessons of guerrilla life gave me a new perspective. I came to understand that I could act as an army of one, embodying the legacy of commanders Egîd, Zîlan, and the principles of the party. We will avenge the years of oppression, the weight of history, and the sacrifices of our martyrs. Today, the guerrilla struggle is more necessary than ever. For us, there is no other path but victory. It is either we win or we win. This unyielding determination and belief has carried us to where we are today. With the accumulation of experience and steadfast resolve, we will secure the guerrillas' victory. Throughout the history of our freedom movement, heroes have emerged from the crucible of resistance and struggle. 

These heroes possess the Apoist spirit: they have never surrendered, never accepted betrayal, and have always led the way for us. This truth can only be fully understood by engaging in the struggle and experiencing the depths of this life. We grew up with this understanding. As long as the enemy exists, a peaceful existence will never be possible for us. And as long as we exist, our fight against fascism will persist. The sacrifices of these heroes reaffirmed that as long as the PKK spirit endures, our resistance for freedom will continue. 

The enemy failed to achieve its goal

On 10 February 2022, the fascist enemy launched an assault on Siyanê, deploying all its technological power. This operation, meticulously planned in advance, aimed to capture the region through various methods. With a massive deployment of soldiers, the assault began. On the first day, they tried to quickly land troops via helicopters and infiltrate the caves. However, under the leadership of Comrade Şoreş Beytûşebab, this attempt was thwarted. Comrade Şoreş was a comrade who stood out for his experience and insight into the freedom struggle. His unwavering stance and relentless fight against the enemy during these attacks were pivotal in leading the resistance. 

From the beginning to the end of the assault, all comrades, under Şoreş’s leadership, responded to every move made by the enemy. During the cave attacks, many enemy soldiers, including their commanders, were neutralized. This resistance shocked the enemy and derailed their plans. Despite resorting to chemical weapons and other extreme measures, the enemy failed to achieve their objectives. Throughout the operation, our comrades acted with discipline and organization, heroically resisting every attack. 

In February, many of our units in the Garê region inflicted significant damage on the enemy. Particularly under the leadership of Comrade Rojhat, our actions dealt severe blows to the opposition. This resistance once again highlighted the self-sacrificing spirit of the Freedom Movement. The enemy failed to achieve the results it sought. As a last resort, they bombed the Garê region from the air, bringing the operation to a premature end and hastily retreating. This operation once again demonstrated the strength of the Apoist spirit and the resilience of the freedom struggle. This is the truth of our existence."