Celebrations are taking place everywhere to mark 27 November, the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

In Metîna, guerrillas from the HPG (People’s Defense Forces) and YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the PKK.

Sozan Mardin, a commander of YJA Star, gave a speech at the opening of the celebration. She recalled the beginning of the freedom march by Haki Karer, the first martyr of the PKK movement, and pointed out that Abdullah Öcalan founded the PKK to do justice to the martyrs. She continued: "The freedom movement grew with the blood of the martyrs. We became an organised party and an organised army thanks to our martyrs. All this was created with the greatest conviction and sacrifice."

Remarking that the PKK has become stronger and stronger in the 45 years of its struggle, the YJA Star commander stated: "This is because the PKK and the people have become one. The PKK was founded for the oppressed peoples. Our people have recognised themselves through the PKK, they have no longer accepted their oppressed state and are resisting every day. We greet our people and all the fighting comrades on the anniversary of the founding of the PKK."

After the speech, guerrillas chanted the slogans “Bijî Serok Apo” (Long live Leader Öcalan) and “Bê Serok jiyan nabe” (No life without the leader) and danced to revolutionary songs.