The Press Office of the People's Defense Forces (HPG) has published the names of three guerrilla fighters who died on 23 March 2019 during an air raid of the Turkish army in Garzan region of the Bitlis province in North Kurdistan.

Nom de Guerre: Cemal Yaman First-Last Name: Mehmet Yaman Place of Birth: Batman Mother's - Father's Name: Zübeyde – Feyzi Date and Place of Martyrdom: 23 March 2019 / Bitlis

Nom de Guerre: Cıwan Roni First-Last Name: Vedat Şentürk Place of Birth: Mersin Mother's - Father's Name: Sabiha – Mehmet Salih Date and Place of Martyrdom: 23 March 2019 / Bitlis

Nom de Guerre: Erdal Niştiman First-Last Name: Engin Çetin Place of Birth: Mardin Mother's - Father's Name: Fadime – Mehmet Date and Place of Martyrdom: 23 March 2019 / Bitlis

In memory of the three martyrs, the HPG said: "The colonialist Turkish state is taking away the legitimate and natural rights of our people and wants to destroy their existence. The Kurdish folk with its rich culture has always managed to maintain its existence despite the fascist mentality of the Turkish state. The liberation movement is working for the Kurdish people's longing for freedom that has been existing for years and considers resistance as the only possible way. Great sacrifices are made in this resistance. Our companions Cemal, Ciwan and Erdal have carried on the legacy of this resistance and made every effort to fight on the front line. They were aware that a folk that is attacked at all levels must be defended in order to free itself. For this they showed great selflessness.

We express our sympathy to the families of martyrs and the patriotic people of Kurdistan. The legacy of resistance that our companions left us will illuminate our further way and will be a source of inspiration until victory."