There was a mass protest in the Gever (Yüksekova) district of Hakkari province yesterday after graves of HPG guerrillas were vandalised.

Graves of HPG guerrillas in the cemetery in the Orman neighbourhood of Yüksekova district were damaged on Sunday night by unknown persons.

Thousands of people attended a march yesterday in the town to protest at the desecration of the graves.

Amongst those who joined the march were  Yüksekova Democratic Society Assembly co-presidents Vahit Şahinoğlu and Nazfe Evin, DBP Yüksekova district chair Fikret Turgut and MEYADER administrators. The marchers went to the cemetery, carrying a banner bearing the words: 'either Kobanê or death, war, war, war' and PKK and HPG flags, and shouting the slogans: "Long live President Apo" and "Martyrs are immortal”.

Yüksekova Democratic Society Assembly co-president Vahit Şahinoğlu spoke at the cemetery where the graves were damaged, saying: "The martyrs are the Kurdish people’s red line. Some people who want to provoke war have assaulted the sacred graves of our martyrs. Now is the time for togetherness. It is time for both our people and all officials to behave responsibly. These provocations at this sensitive time have the intention of massacring our people. We will not rise to the bait. The people of Gever who are loyal to our leadership, martyrs and movement will not be taken in by these provocations.”

Following Şahinoğlu's speech, DBP Yüksekova district chair Fikret Turgut spoke, saying: "We vehemently condemn this attack. The developments in Rojava Kurdistan are of historical importance as regards determining history. The ISIS monster created by hegemonic forces in order to exploit the resources of the Middle East and Kurdistan is attacking oppressed peoples.” Turgut added that the attacks on the Kobanê canton were aiming to do this, adding: “everyone should be sensitive and aware of these provocations. The timing of this attack is ominous given the need for fraternity.”