Following the massive celebration in Qandil marking the Kurdish New Year, Newroz, which drew thousands of people in Southern Kurdistan, a celebration was held in the city of Kirkuk in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) on Friday.

The celebration began at 13.00 local time, with the slogan "Let's celebrate Newroz this year by rising up against corruption and injustices."

The celebration drew people from throughout Kurdistan.

Photographs of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and martyrs, Tevgera Azadi and RJAK flags, and the national colours green, red, and yellow garnered attention in the celebration area.

During the celebration, which started with a minute of silence, the Newroz fire was lit and the slogans 'Bijî Serok Apo' [Long Live Leader Öcalan] and 'Newroz piroz be' [Happy Newroz] were chanted frequently.

The message of Tevgera Azadi and the Newroz Preparatory Committee was read at the beginning of the celebration.

The message included the following: “Tevgera Azadi's political message is the unity of all the sectors in the region. We should all work together to make this Newroz a Newroz of peace in the face of corruption and thievery. Everyone should strive for the freedom of the Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is the leader of peoples and humanity.”

The celebration, which continues with the performance of the musician Pêşawa Ramazan, is expected to last until the evening hours.