Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Executive Committee released a statement on its official website marking the 33rd anniversary of the August 15 Initiative, Day of Resurrection, in which PKK launched its first armed actions against the Turkish army in Siirt’s Eruh and Hakkari’s Şemdinli districts in the year of 1984.

PKK said: “We congratulate the 33rd anniversary of the glorious 15 August Initiative first of all on Leader Abdullah Öcalan, on all our comrades, our guerrilla forces, our patriotic people as well as all democratic forces. In the person of the initiative’s immortal commander Egîd (Mahsum Korkmaz) we pay tribute to all our martyrs with utmost respect and appreciation."

“HISTORIC VICTORIES HAVE BEEN GAINED IN BAKUR, SHENGAL AND ROJAVA”

The statement by PKK Executive Committee said the following:

"We all know very well that the process of 15 August initiative, the greatest resistance move in PKK history, has become a tradition of struggle by getting deeper and more extensive every passing day.

Our people’s attainment of a guerrilla defense, the national revolution of resurrection in Northern Kurdistan, the progress and growth of women’s freedom revolution, the heroic character gained by the Kurdish youth, the initiative of democratic self-governance resistance, Shengal victory, Rojava’s freedom revolution and resistance, the Kurdish people’s attainment of national spirit, awareness and organization, and them becoming the only force resisting and defeating today’s fascism, have all been achieved thanks to the heroic struggle of the past 33 years. This great struggle of 33 years based on the Democratic Middle East and Free Kurdistan line has brought our movement and our people to the brink of victory.

"15 AUGUST IS GLAD TIDINGS FOR THE EMANCIPATION OF ALL HUMANITY"

The first bullet shot on 15 August 1984 in Eruh and Şemdinli invoked not only the beginning of a national liberation struggle, but became also good tidings of emancipation for all humanity. At the same time, it avowed for the cry 'Resistance is Life', that reverberated from the dungeon of Amed, carrying it to the mountains, highlands and cities, and has developed to a permanent guerrilla movement embraced by the people. The 15 August is the unremitting perseverance in existence, and an honourable and free life. It is well known that the fascist Turkish state did not only aim its attacks on freedoms, but targeted in fact all material and immaterial presence as well, be it on personal or societal level.

SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE SELF-GOVERNANCE RESISTANCE

The 15 August Initiative lives on today in the self-governance resistance initiated as of 10 August 2015 in response to the all-out fascist and genocidal attacks the AKP-MHP fascism launched on 24 July of the same year. Also on occasion of the second anniversary of the democratic self-governance resistance led by Cizre and Sur, we salute and remember all the martyrs of this resistance mounted in all Kurdistan towns, mainly in Sur, Cizre, Nusaybin, Şırnak and Gever, under the lead of immortal commanders Çiyager, Axin, Xebatkâr, Zeryan and İslam, and we reiterate our promise to definitely realize their goal. In its third year, the democratic self-governance resistance will bring fascism down and will definitely triumph.

"THE CALL FOR A STRUGGLE AGAINST FASCISM, IS AN ORDER TO US"

Everyone should be well aware of the fact that we, the Kurdish people and the movement, will resist the AKP-MHP fascism until the very end, and defeat it. Silopi's People's Council Co-chair Pakize Nayır’s call 'We will resist fascism until the very end', is a command to us. Mehmet uûnç, the Co-chair of Cizre People's Council, shall rest in peace, we are proud of them and we always follow in their footsteps. We promise Sur's Commander Çiyager and the commander that victory will definitely be ours. Şırnak Commander Zeryan Deniz should know that we have won already and we will definitely triumph in the end. We will carry on the historic 15 August Revolutionary Initiative in the democratic self-governance resistance, and lead it to victory.  

"ACTIONS FOR LEADER APO'S FREEDOM MUST BE STEPPED UP"

The 19 years long divine resistance of Leader Apo, who stands against an aggravated isolation for the past 2,5 years, is a historic firm stance for freedom on behalf of whole humanity and the oppressed peoples. In order to bring lead resistance to victory, we are shouldering some militant and patriotic duties. Therefore we need to interpret the stance of Leader Apo very well, and expand and intensify actions for his freedom in a more powerful way.

"RESISTANCE AND UNITY ARE A MUST TO ACHIEVE HISTORIC VICTORIES"

It is more essential and vital than ever to manifest the resolve, proficiency and persistence needed to turn 15 August National Day of Resurrection and Resistance, which we celebrate in an environment of serious dangers but also great opportunities revealed by the 3rd World War taking place in the Middle East today, into a feast of victory.

What is being lived today is not just an ordinary time but a process when almost everything is being demolished and rebuilt in systemic aspect. In this chaotic environment, every party that can assert itself can achieve huge victories. This however requires resistance and unity at all levels. Our movement is fighting with all its force against ISIS and the AKP-MHP fascism, and we are making efforts for the development of an anti-fascist democratic unity everywhere. On this basis, we call upon our people to step up the resistance for freedom and democracy against fascism, and all revolutionary and democratic forces fight on a common ground against fascism!”