The hunger strikes against the isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan launched under Leyla Guven’s lead continue to spread in Bashur (South Kurdistan).

HDP Member Nasir Yagiz is on day 101 of his hunger strike in Hewler despite his serious health issues.

Yagiz is having trouble standing up on his own, and his arrhythmia is increasing to the point of posing a vital threat.

Yagiz pointed out that his health issues won’t affect his protest: “Whatever happens, we will prevail. If the faith and hope is grand, if our will is strong, we will break this isolation together.”

Yagiz had been hospitalized on February 26, and after the doctors in the Par Hospital examined him, he refused treatment and continued with his hunger strike.

SULAYMANIYAH

Shortly after Leyla Guven started her indefinite non-alternating hunger strike to break the isolation, support came from Sulaymaniyah, Bashure Kurdistan. The indefinite alternating hunger strike launched in the Mesopotamia Workers’ Association is on day 78 with the 40th group taking over the protest. Activists are participating from all parts of Kurdistan, and say they will break the isolation through their protest and resistance.

MAXMUR

The people living in the Maxmur (Martyr Rustem Cudi) Refugee Camp, known as the citadel of resistance, spoke up against the isolation and started a resistance by launching hunger strikes. Their protest is on day 75, with the 26th group taking over.

On the 34th day of her hunger strike, Ishtar Assembly Coordination Member Fadile Tok changed her protest into an indefinite non-alternating hunger strike. Her hunger strike is now on day 41.

As the people continue to visit the hunger strikes, various events are held to support the hunger strikers. Seminars and talks are held on the isolation as the people stand by the protesters. Contests are held among the hunger strikers for morale. Fadile Tok hasn’t had a serious health issue to date, but she has blood pressure issues. Tok said their morale and strength is high, and they will continue until the isolation is broken.

HUNGER STRIKES SPREAD TO OTHER CITIES IN BASHUR

Hunger strikes have spread to other cities in Bashur. The Regional Government has banned hunger strikes in official centers, so the engineer named Herem Mehmud from Kelar launched an indefinite non-alternating hunger strike on February 23, 2019 in his home. Herem Mehmud continues his hunger strike with determination on day 7.

A teacher named Cuma Kerim from Kelar launched a weeklong hunger strike on February 24.

Teacher Serdar Melihe also launched a weeklong hunger strike on February 25 to support the hunger strikes against the isolation.