On the 33rd anniversary of the August 15, Day of Resurrection, in which PKK launched its first armed actions against the Turkish army in Siirt’s Eruh and Hakkari’s Şemdinli districts in the year of 1984, People's Defense Forces (HPG) guerrillas protecting Shengal shared their thoughts with ANF.

“IT IS OUR DUTY TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF COMRADE EGÎD”

Rojhat Fedakar Maku: 15 August became an awakening for all revolutionary movements, and had an influence on the youths of entire Kurdistan. An army of the Kurdish people was formed in the person of comrade Egîd, and moved also many internationalist revolutionists to join it. We, as HPG members and followers of Egîd, have the duty to do whatever is needed for the realization of our goals in ideological and military aspect.

“15 AUGUST IS THE DAY OF THE KURDS' AWAKENING”

Evindar Cudi Cizre: Before the 15 August Initiative, there was nothing of Kurdish identity. There was no awareness of it. The Kurdish consciousness and existence emerged and an awakening occurred among the Kurds with the first bullet fired on 15 August. Especially with regard to women, their existence was indefinite and they had no role until the 15 August Initiative. As the enemy tries to oppress and isolate the Kurdish people in the person of Öcalan, we are obliged to uphold the spirit of comrade Egîd in our struggle to achieve victory.

“LEADER ÖCALAN IS THE ARCHITECT OF SHENGAL'S RESISTANCE”

Erdal Bagok: The Kurds expressed themselves in the person of comrade Egîd with the initiative of 15 August in which resistance was mmounted. The resistance still holds on. Our army was formed in 1984 and keeps growing with each day. This has been achieved thanks to the struggle, and the philosophy of our Leader. When one looks at it, Shengal is a vivid example of the many gains enabled by the 15 August initiative. When the ISIS gangs attempted to annihilate the ancient Êzidî community, our people resisted and freed Shengal after they became one with the guerrillas. The people learnt of their reality, and fought alongside the guerrillas under harshest conditions. As one they resisted, and as one they gave huge sacrifices.

“15 AUGUST HERALDED THE WOMEN'S RESISTANCE”

Gulan Amude: The strength of the Kurdish people emerged on that day as an answer to the resistance mounted in the prisons. The Kurdish people were awaked by the impact of the first bullet fired by comrade Egîd in Gabar. The people came to know both the reality of their own, and that of the enemy. After 15 August, the Kurdish people started resistance, and thus a foundation was formed also for the struggle of our female comrades, by whom the women's freedom movement and army was organised and founded. By virtue of the countless comrades like Bêrîtan and Zîlan this result was born with the resistance, and created a hope for the Kurdish people on August 15.