Newroz celebrations in South Kurdistan kicked off in Kirkuk's Şivesor area yesterday with the participation of thousands.

During the Newroz event organised by Tevgera Azadiya Kurdistan, messages of several political parties in Kirkuk were read out.

Speeches made on behalf of Hızbi Zehmetkêşani Kurdistan, Tevgera Azadi, Tevgera Ciwanên Kurdistan and RJAK voiced reactions to the attacks on Shengal and called for the development of Kurdish unity in response to the attacks.

Guerrillas and Dêrîn (former) peshmergas spoke following the messages of political parties, and put emphasis on the importance of giving a joint struggle against the common enemy. They pointed out that KDP and Turkish gangs wanted to make guerrillas and peshmergas confront each other in Shengal, stressing that this would harm Kurdish gains and must be stood against.

Speaking after, Kirkuk PUK peshmerga official and PUK Central Committee member Westa Resul recalled that peshmergas and guerrillas had fought at the same front against ISIS fascism in several regions in South Kurdistan, adding; "Whoever attacks the guerrilla today shall be considered to be standing at the same front with the ISIS. Guerrillas and peshmergas should never turn their arms on one another. Those who try to initiate Birakujî despite all the painful experiences do definitively have the same mentality with ISIS."

The Newroz event continued with the speeches of PYD South Kurdistan Representative Xerib Hüso, Shengal Construction Assembly President Xıdır Salih and performances of Martyr Destan, Martyr Ararat, Martyr Ahmet Qamişlo music bands and artists Bermal Çem, Kerim Xanesurçi and Mıhemed Werti.