Guerrillas in Rojhilat (East Kurdistan) lit the first fire to mark Newroz.

Chanting the slogans ”Bê Serok jiyan nabe” (No Life Without the Leader), “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom) and “Newroz pîroz be” (Happy Newroz), guerrillas stated that 2023 will be the year when Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom will be ensured.

Newroz is the Kurdish New Year on 21 March. On this day, Kurds all over the world celebrate the beginning of a new year. Newroz means "the new day". It arose from the spirit of resistance of the Kurdish people and developed over the years into a celebration of political resistance against oppression and despotism. It also represents the end of winter and welcomes spring.

As a festival of rebirth, it first gained importance among the Kurdish people and was later adopted by other Iranian peoples. Kurds, Afghans, Persians, Baluchis and Tajiks celebrate this festival today, and they have all added their own national customs to it. The Newroz festival is probably the oldest Kurdish festival.