HPG (People's Defense Forces) and YJA-Star (Free Women's Troops) guerrillas in Shengal held a commemoration for PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) founding member Sakine Cansız, KNK (Kurdistan National Congress) Paris Representative Fidan Doğan and Kurdish Youth Movement member Leyla Şaylemez who were murdered on January 9, 2013 in Paris.

Guerrillas spoke to ANF and said they will continue the march to freedom on the path of the three women.

HPG Guerrilla Torhildan Wan:

As a HPG guerrilla, I took my place in Shengal. As you know, today is the anniversary of Sara, Fidan and Leyla falling martyr. We are commemorating heval Sara, heval Fidan and heval Leyla and all the martyrs of Kurdistan in their name. Three Kurdish revolutionary women were martyred in a conspiracy in Paris on January 9, 2013. The enemy wanted to end women’s resistance, so they martyred 3 Kurdish revolutionary women. But the enemy saw the women’s resistance increase even more after these comrades were martyred.

We are carrying and we will carry the spirit of resistance handed over from Sara, Fidan and Leyla by fighting the enemy in Shengal to the end. We know that these friends were martyred by the Turkish state’s agent Ömer Güney in a dirty plan. On top of that, the Turkish state killed Ömer Güney in prison so their plan wouldn’t be exposed. Everybody should know that we as the HPG guerrillas will answer the enemy, wherever we are, by increasing the struggle against this hegemony, the enemy’s dirty politics and plans.

YJA-Star Guerilla Zekiye Urfa:

“The enemy should know that we die by one and come back by a thousand. Heval Sara, heval Fidan and heval Leyla may have fallen martyr, but we will be the successors of the spirit of resistance they left us. Thus we say we will enhance the women’s struggle in Shengal, following on the path of the three revolutionary women.”

HPG Guerilla Şiyar Şexo:

“We salute the three Kurdish revolutionary comrades and remember all the martyrs of Kurdistan in their name. January 9 is a dark day for us. Because our esteemed comrades fell martyr on this day. Heval Sara was a friend who formed the foundations of the women’s movement, became a symbol for the women’s resistance and had an important role in the founding of PKK. She was a friend who worked in Kurdistan on comradery, on being a soldier, and on politics. For this, heval Sakine was always an exemplary friend for us.

When we remember heval Sakine it is always bittersweet, but whatever happens, heval Sakine and the other friends are always living with us and in our lives. Because martyrs never die, they live on in the spirit of resistance and struggle they leave us. These friends were martyred in a place like Paris, with tight security. For that, the Parisian government and those in this dark state will answer for this. We as the HPG guerrillas have taken our place in Shengal, and our aim is to make the enemy of the Kurdish people and this movement answer. Thus, our call to the Kurdish people is to support the 3 Kurdish revolutionary women and increase the struggle.”

YJA Star Guerrilla Nucan Heseke:

“First, we salute heval Sara, heval Leyla and heval Fidan and all the martyrs of Kurdistan in their name. Heval Sara was a pioneer for this life as a woman comrade. They were the example for us for the journey to freedom. So we will always continue our struggle on their path.

Heval Sara worked so much to form the women’s movement. Heval Leyla and heval Fidan displayed a great struggle as followers of this path against the enemy. Thus, all three friends have become examples to march on the path of the free woman. We will continue and grow the free woman spirit of struggle they left, through our struggle in Shengal and everywhere.”