In the Nusaybin district of Mardin, celebrations were held in the Newroz area with the slogan "Rabe dema azadî û serkeftinê ye" (Stand up, it is time for freedom and success).

Thousands of people started to gather in the early hours of the morning and the people coming to the area with yellow, red and green coloured banners frequently chanted the slogans "Bijî Newroz" (Long live Newroz) and "Bijî Serok Apo" (Long Live Leader Öcalan).

It was not possible for the people to enter the area for a long time due to police controls. During the celebration, in which women participated with their local clothes, the arrival of Peace Mothers and prisoners' relatives increased the enthusiasm.

Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-Chair Berdan Öztürk and Peace Mothers lit the Newroz fire.

‘You cannot take this will captive’

Speaking after the lighting of the Newroz fire, DEM Party Mardin MP Kamuran Tanhan appealed to the government, saying: "See the will in these squares, you cannot take this will captive."

The deposed co-mayors of Nusaybin and the new candidates took the stage and greeted the people.

"We will bring peace and freedom," said Perihan Altuğ, one of the Peace Mothers, adding: "See this square, see this will. The Kurdish people will break the iron gates and chains through their resistance."

Adalet Fidan from the Free Women’s Movement (TJA) said: "We will always increase our struggle and resistance. We will spread the co-presidency system all over the world. We will never compromise."

Ahmet Türk: Isolation will not solve the Kurdish question

Mardin Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayoral candidates Ahmet Türk and Devrim Demir took the stage together and congratulated the participants on Newroz.

Ahmet Türk pointed to the upcoming elections and stated that they would respond to the trustees.

Türk also drew attention to the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan and said, "You cannot solve the Kurdish problem with isolation and oppression. Turks cannot be free either unless the Kurdish people attain democracy and freedom. Let's solve the Kurdish question by making an honourable peace."

Former MP Gülser Yıldırım said, "This Newroz is a sign of the 31 March elections. Nusaybin will protect its will."

Mardin MP Beritan Güneş Altın and DEM Party Deputy Co-Chair Elif Bulut also greeted the masses.

Öztürk: Open the gates of İmrali

DTK Co-Chair Berdan Öztürk said, "The Newroz square sends a message to the fascists and monists. The Minister of Interior, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance; don't go to the gates of Washington. Open the gates of İmralı and meet with Mr Öcalan. Let all your problems be solved. This square also says to the Turkish people, 'make an effort to end this war as soon as possible'. You cannot get anywhere with Kurdish enmity. In this election, we will respond to the enemies of the Kurds and the enemies of democracy. We will give a great answer."

Öztürk concluded his speech by vowing that "We will win."

The celebration ended with dances.