The press center of the People's Defense Forces (HPG) has published the names of four fallen guerrilla fighters. Mervan Reşo, Demhat Bakur, Bedran Hawêl and Azad Semedar were martyred in airstrikes by the Turkish army on the hills of Şehîd Bêrîtan and Şehîd Ahmet in Xakurke on October 15, 2020.

Nom de Guerre: Mervan Reşo
First-Last Name: Enver Çiftçi
Birthplace: Hakkari
Names of Mother and Father: Nesrin – Sevdin
Date and Place of Martyrdom: 15 October 2020 / Xakurke

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Nom de Guerre: Demhat Bakur
First-Last Name: Xalid Abdulselam Haci Ali
Birthplace: Heseke
Names of Mother and Father: Hatice – Abdulselam
Date and Place of Martyrdom: 15 October 2020 / Xakurke

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Nom de Guerre: Bedran Hawêl
First-Last Name: Vedat Erdoğan
Birthplace: Siirt
Names of Mother and Father: Münevver – Siracettin
Date and Place of Martyrdom: 15 October 2020 / Xakurke

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Nom de Guerre: Azad Semedar
First-Last Name: Murteza Korkmaz
Birthplace: Hakkari
Names of Mother and Father: Ayşe – Reşit
Date and Place of Martyrdom: 15 October 2020 / Xakurke

In memory of the martyrs, the HPG said: "The guerrillas of Kurdistan are mounting historic resistance against the operations of the Turkish occupying army in Southern Kurdistan. In Xakurke, massive blows have been dealt to colonialism. The Turkish army experiences defeat in the face of the guerrillas' magnificent resistance and is trapped on the hills. In 2020, the guerrillas have largely gained control of the army in Xakurke and have struck at every opportunity. In doing so, they have openly signaled that they will not allow the occupation. This historic resistance, which was started under the leadership of our valuable commander Agit Garzan, has reached a climax with Azad, Bedran, Demhat and Mervan."

Azad Semedar

Azad Semedar was born into a patriotic family in Çukurca, Hakkari province and grew up with the Botan culture. His homeland is one of the areas where the guerrilla struggle is particularly strong. Therefore, he has always been closely connected to the Kurdish liberation movement. During his studies, he experienced the oppression of the Turkish state and eventually went to the Zagros Mountains to join the guerrillas. He quickly acclimated to life in the mountains and became a capable guerrilla commander, fighting in various regions of the Medya Defense Zones.

Bedran Hawêl

Bedran Hawêl was a native of Siirt. His family had to leave Kurdistan due to the oppression of the Turkish state and moved to a Turkish metropolis. Bedran Hawêl grew up far from his homeland and had to attend a Turkish school. Since his family was patriotic, he knew the PKK and the guerrillas well and became involved in various aspects of the liberation movement. He joined the guerrilla because he believed that only armed struggle could bring about change. In Xakurke, he participated in many actions against the Turkish army.

Demhat Bakur

Demhat Bakur came from Heseke in northern Syria. During the Rojava revolution, he learned about the philosophy of Abdullah Öcalan and took to the mountains to fight actively. In doing so, he showed great enthusiasm and sense of responsibility. He got used to life in the mountains within a short time and showed great commitment to become a professional guerrilla fighter. In Xakurke, he has become one of the symbols of the still ongoing resistance.

Mervan Reşo

Mervan Reşo was born in Hakkari and knew the PKK as a child. He took a role in the Kurdish liberation struggle at an early age and was active in the youth movement. Seeing guerrilla struggle as the most effective means against Turkish fascism, he took to the mountains. With the energy of youth, he studied the philosophy of Abdullah Öcalan and continued his military education. HPG described him as a leading militant in the Xakurke resistance.

Torches of freedom

HPG expressed their condolences to the families and patriotic people of Kurdistan, adding, "We give our word that we will carry forward the torches of freedom passed to us by our brave companions with determination and responsibility to do justice to the memory of the martyrs."