The Co-Presidency of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council released a statement commending the effective guerrilla actions on the 40th anniversary of the August 15 Initiative, when the Kurdish freedom movement fired the first bullet at the Turkish army in Eruh, Siirt in 1984. A 36-strong guerrilla force led by the legendary commander Mahsum Korkmaz - also known by his nom de Guerre Egîd ("the Brave") - carried out the first attack against the Turkish occupying forces that day, which is considered the beginning of the armed struggle of the Kurdish liberation movement. 

The KCK statement on Friday includes the following:

“As we enter the 41st year of the August 15 initiative, the Kurdistan Freedom Guerrilla has carried out actions that have dealt heavy blows to the genocidal, colonialist enemy and its occupying army in the past month. As stated by the headquarters command of our People’s Defense Center (HSM), through its effective actions, the guerrilla has filled the August 15 initiative with a strong meaning. The August 15 initiative developed as an intervention of the guerrilla against the genocidal, colonialist, and occupying enemy that aims to destroy the people of Kurdistan, and this process resulted in a national resurgence. The enemy was defeated, and its plans were frustrated. Today, once again, the guerrilla is disrupting their plans with the same will and sacrificial spirit. The most recent examples of this were the actions in Sergele, Mount Bahar, and Gever. With these effective actions, the guerrilla has not only once again disrupted the enemy’s plans, but has also proved that it will defend Kurdistan at all costs and will not allow the occupation of the country. With its determination and resistance, the guerrilla gives our people great confidence and honor. This uninterrupted resistance of the guerrilla gains the great appreciation of our people. The guerrilla actions that started in July and reached a new level in Sergele, Mount Bahar, and Gever and dealt heavy blows to the enemy have made our people very happy. We salute these guerrilla actions and heartily congratulate all HPG and YJA Star fighters and commanders who took part in and contributed to these actions. We express our greetings and love to all comrades, congratulate the headquarters command of the HSM for their successful practice, and wish them continued success.

The guerrilla is resisting the genocidal colonialist and occupying enemies with great courage and dedication, defending the country. Against the corrupt collaborators and betrayers who sell their hearts to the enemy, the guerrilla exhibits the sublime stance of patriotism and revolutionism in an unadulterated way. This stance must be deeply understood, and an equivalent stance must be exhibited everywhere. On this basis, the struggle against the genocidal, colonialist, and occupying enemies, as well as the collaborators and traitors, must be raised everywhere. The patriotic youth of Kurdistan must take their place at the forefront of the struggle, increase their participation in the guerrilla, and lead the struggle wherever they are. Our people must also struggle with a stronger attitude against the enemy, who does not even tolerate our language, denies our identity, usurps our will, and wants to subject us to genocide as a people through assimilation, oppression, and occupation with the spirit of popular uprising everywhere.”