Hundreds of civilians joined the Newroz celebration organised by HPG and YJA-Star guerrillas at the Martyr Rüstem Refugee Camp in Makhmur last night.

The celebration began with a military ceremony which was attended by Makhmur Kirkuk Guerrilla Forces General Commander Bawer Serhat, YJA-Star Makhmur Kirkuk Guerrilla Forces Commander Raperin Gabar, guerrilla commanders Selim Zilan, Şahin Amed and Nuğeyla Siverek.

Speaking at the ceremony, Bawer Serhat stated that: “We celebrate this day of resistance primarily to Leader Apo, the people of Kurdistan and the Middle East, to our people here and all our comrades.

Like every year, the Newroz of 2017 is of great importance to us as Newroz means the day of resistance against injustice and unjustness. This resistance that has continued throughout history is growing more ad more today. As the defense forces of Kurdistan people, we will resist all the attacks till the end in order to defend our people and lead them to the victory of freedom.

2017's Newroz is a day of resistance against primarily the AKP and their collaborators. We will enhance our resistance against those committing massacres against our people on daily basis, and against their collaborators. As the Kurdish people and movement, we shall achieve the freedom of Leader Apo and an autonomous Kurdistan this year, which therefore attributes great importance and meaning to this year's Newroz for us. On this basis, we invite all our people and forces of democracy to resistance against this atrocity."

Newroz fire was lit after the military ceremony and the celebration continued with theater, choir, folklore and music performances of guerrillas to the accompaniment of Kurdish traditional dance halay joined by guerrillas and people.