In Aachen, Kassel, Esslingen, Duisburg, Berlin, Vienna, Arnhem and Bordeaux, commemorations were held for the martyrs of the Rojava resistance. The Turkish army, supported by Islamist groups, launched an offensive against north-eastern Syria on 9 October to occupy the self-governing territories and smash the grassroots democratic system. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are resisting the genocidal campaign and defending their people and lands. Hundreds of fighters have already died in the ongoing battle. Many of them have relatives living in Europe.

AACHEN

Xalid Mehmud Mihemed was remembered at an event in Aachen. He worked for the security forces in Qamishlo and died on November 11 together with five other people in a bomb attack ordered from Turkey. The event was attended by his brother and an aunt among others.

KASSEL

In Kassel the fallen fighters Sabri Kobanê (Fawaz Ahmed) and Botan Ciziri (Mahsum Nayinci) were commemorated. Both have relatives in Kassel.

ESSLINGEN

SDF fighters Mihemed Xelef (Levend Qamîşlo), Mihemed Şendi (Şehit Agîrî), Mehmûd Şîndî (Şehit Kındal), Şemdîn Hermêsi (Delîl Qamışlo), Hakki Ahmed (Hesen Qamîşlo) and Rojhilat Çarçel (Rojhilat Uzkas) were remembered in the Kurdish Community Center in Esslingen.

DUISBURG

Hundreds of people took part in an event in Duisburg and commemorated Çekdar Dêrik, who fell in Til Temir. Also remembered was Seyit Riza, who was executed 82 years ago in Dersim.

BERLIN

In Berlin there was a commemoration event for Heme Reş (Muhammed Ferhan Saleh), Can Qamişlo (Abdulhemid Abdulselam), Şivan (Yusuf Nebi) and Serxwebun Ali. Serxwebun Ali was a civilian who was run over by a Turkish armoured vehicle in Dêrik. At the event, an audio recording of Heme's mother was played. The SDF commander was the father of five children.

ARNHEM

In Arnhem in the Netherlands Sefkan Dêrik, Egîd Derîk and Rojinda Qendîl were commemorated. The event was attended by their relatives.

VIENNA

In Vienna there was a memorial for Zagros Kobanê who died in Til Temir. His sister vowed in a speech to continue the fight of the fallen.