The Headquarters Command of the People's Defense Center (HSM) issued a statement announcing that Sinan Dersim (Dalokay Şanlı) was martyred in an airstrike in the Medya Defense Zones on October 27, 2020.

Nom de Guerre: Sinan Mirxan First-Last Name: Dalokay Şanlı Birthplace: Dersim Mother's-Father's Names: Yazgülü – Ali Date and Place of Martyrdom: 27 October 2020 / Medya Defense Zones

The HSM Command expressed its condolences to the relatives, the Kurdish people and the people of Dersim, as well as to all people who stand for the coexistence of peoples and freedom. "Once again, we reiterate our pledge to remain attached to the memory of Sinan Dersim and all other martyrs and to hold the enemy accountable," the HSM said.

Describing the death of Sinan Dersim as a great loss, the HSM Command said that Dersim was active in the YCK youth movement at the beginning of his revolutionary struggle in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan. "In organizing a broad mass of youth in the metropolises of Kurdistan and Turkey and channeling the energy of the youth into the revolution, he took a leading role from day one. Above all, he has played an important role in bringing students into contact with the revolution in the most turbulent times.”

The statement continued:

“As our companion Sinan grew up with the stories of resistance of Seyit Rıza, Besê and thousands of other nameless heroes and heroines, he also did not remain silent about the international conspiracy against Rebêr Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] and our movement and took a leading role in the youth-led resistance against the conspiracy. The basis of his success in the revolutionary struggle was his ability to build relationships with people, to instill confidence in those around him, to give his comrades a sense of self-worth and to channel their energy into the revolution. Thus, he contributed sacrificially at all times.

Because of his great achievements in the revolutionary struggle, Sinan was considered by our movement to be suitable for work in the KCK Executive Council and he has carried out this task with success. He has taken a pioneering role in building the Democratic Nation System and has taken responsibility for important work. His impressive, flexible, creative, brilliant mind could find a solution to any problem. Thus, he never left any room for mistakes or failures in all the tasks he undertook within the organization and displayed a successful practice. Sinan worked for many years at the leadership level in Europe, where he played an important role in organizing and developing revolutionary activities. Here, too, he was able to win the hearts of his comrades in a very short time with his active participation in the work, his revolutionary spirit and his discipline.

After a long stay in Europe, he returned to his country and assumed a significant strategic role through his activities as a member of the Command Council of the People's Defense Forces (HPG) and Commander of the Apollo Academies. With great patience, an attractive speaking style and revolutionary enthusiasm, he taught many people and occupied an unforgettable place in the hearts of his comrades. He put great efforts into training and developing hundreds of fighters and commanders.

Sinan Dersim was a member of the Executive Council of the HBDH [Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement]. He attached great importance to this work and carried it out with dedication and discipline. Comrade Sinan believed wholeheartedly in the brotherhood of peoples, the project of a democratic nation and the building of a socialist and free life, and fulfilled his revolutionary responsibilities with great love. He was convinced of the necessity of a union of revolutionary, socialist and oppositional forces to bring down the system of fascist occupiers and to carry out a revolution for a democratic Turkey. He invested a lot of energy in the development and strengthening of this union, showing his inexhaustible perseverance and unshakable willpower. In memory of Comrade Sinan, we will continue to strengthen these anti-fascist, revolutionary alliances, hold the fascists accountable and fulfill the aspirations of the peoples to build a free and democratic Turkey.

As a truth seeker and advocate of love, Comrade Sinan Dersim is among the most beautiful children of our people and the most honorable children of Dersim. Sinan has followed the paths of Baran, Sara, Jindar, Roza and Yılmaz and has devoted his heart to the love of freedom and revolution until the last moment. With his rousing attitude, his sincerity, his thoughtful point of view, he was a role model not only for his comrades but also for friends and supporters. During the years of his participation in the struggle, his honorable attitude was a response against those who wanted to accustom us to a life without the leader. Against the attempts to eliminate Rebêr Apo and destroy our movement, he always took a razor-sharp stand. He was always a pioneer in the line of freedom and at the same time its relentless defender.

As much as it pains us to lose our companion Sinan Dersim, who gave so much for the works of HPG, YJA-STAR and HBDH, our will to carry this pain upright and to embody ourselves the force that will lead us to victory shows that we will remain attached to his memory until the end. With respect and gratitude, we remember Comrade Sinan and all other martyrs. We make our pledge to continue to advance the struggle in the spirit of Gare's victory, to smash fascism and to lead the revolutionary struggle to victory by creating a free life and a free man."