The vigil started in Urfa’s Suruç district against the ongoing invasion attacks on North-East Syria continues on its 12th day. Masses gathered in the district today to participate in a protest march to the border with Kobanê to demand an end to the attacks.

64-year-old Peace Mother Sebiha Sezen from Van, said they had travelled 600 kilometres in the hope of peace and said: "Their children are comfortable because they are not in this war, but we cannot sit comfortably in our homes. Our hearts are filled with sorrow. That is why we have travelled so far. This war cannot last any longer.”

‘Release Abdullah Öcalan and all poitical prisoners’

Referring to the recent meeting with Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, Sebiha Sezen said: “Mr Öcalan should speak in the same way as their leaders do. We love and embrace our language and culture as much as they love and embrace theirs. We came here to say 'enough is enough'. We want Mr Öcalan and all political prisoners released.”

'To us, the 4 parts of Kurdistan are one'

65-year-old Fevzi Melet, also from Van, explained that they had come to Suruç in support of the achievements in Rojava and said: “In 2014, an attempt was made to massacre the Kurdish people by the hands of ISIS. Erdoğan, who was the prime minister at the time, said that Kobanê was about to fall. The anti-Kurdish mentality is maintained today. Their plans to massacre the Kurdish people in Rojava remain in effect. They want to take away the achievements of the Kurdish people in Rojava. Therefore, the massacre continues. We condemn them. To us, the 4 parts of Kurdistan are one, whether Rojava (West) or Bakur (North). We are one. We have lived and will continue to live in the lands of Kurdistan.”

‘The Kurdish people will not end with killing’

Stressing that Öcalan’s paradigm has come to life in northern and eastern Syria, Melet said: "Mr Öcalan's message has a great impact on the Kurdish people. It is certain that the Kurdish people will not end with killing. This is also Mr Öcalan's message. If the Turkish side takes his message seriously, peace will come to these lands.”

‘We have an identity and a homeland’

46-year-old Peace Mother Macide Varhan, who came from Van to attend the vigil, stated: “I appeal to all the Kurdish people and the whole world. There has been enough bloodshed. Let the massacre of Kurds and the attacks on Kobanê stop. We will stand by our people, Kobanê and our leader as long as we can. Mr Öcalan's messages are always reciprocated among the people. The reason why Mr Öcalan is imprisoned today is that he wants peace and freedom. His every word to reach us will build peace. You cannot say that the Kurds do not exist. Kurds will continue to exist. We have an identity and a homeland.”

Mülkiye Savraz (33), who also expressed her support for the achievements of the Kurdish people, said, “We will continue to claim our gains. The enthusiasm here today is marked by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan's call for peace.”

‘Stop the attacks’

Medine Kıyak, 66, said they had come from all over Kurdistan to call for peace and demand an end to the attacks against North-East Syria: “We don't want bloodshed. That is why so many of us are here today. We are not the cause of this bloodshed.”

Nahile Kaplan (54), who has been taking part in the vigil since it was launched, said, “It's important that we're here today. We want peace. We are also suffering from the troubles caused by the war. That is why we are here.”

İslim Demir, 65, stressed that they were demanding an end to the attacks on northern and eastern Syria, a solution to the Kurdish question and the release of prisoners: “The attacks on Rojava keep us up. We do not want anyone to die. The meeting held with Mr Öcalan has increased our hope for peace.”