On 20 July 2015, ISIS carried out a suicide bomb attack in the Suruç district in the province of Urfa, killing 33 young people and injuring more than 100 others. Led by the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF), the young people had gathered at the Amara Cultural Center as part of a campaign to bring toys and aid to children in Kobanê. 

To mark the 8th anniversary of the massacre, commemorations have been held today in Suruç and other cities where the graves of victims are located.

The commemoration at Amara Cultural Center was organized by the Initiative of Suruç Families and attended by deputies of the Green Left Party, members of NGOs, legal organizations, political parties and a number of people.

The crowd gathered in front of the Suruç office of the HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) and marched together to Amara Cultural Center, where they left roses at the scene of the massacre.

Speaking here, SGDF member Senem Nur Pektaş said: “They sought to leave our dreams incomplete. Yet, the massacre couldn’t frustrate our dream. 8 years later, we still demand freedom for the Kurdish nation and our fight for justice for Suruç continues. Those who sought to bury the dreams of the fallen comrades in this yard have been mistaken. The comrades of the victims are fighting for their dreams today. We will continue to flow together in the river of the revolution.”

Soner Çiçek, who was among those injured in the massacre, said: “They tried to bury our dreams here, where, however, our dreams sprouted. The 33 victims had gathered here to give a hand to the Rojava Revolution. The revolution continues and we will defend it to the very end.”

Ferit Şenyaşar, Green Left Party MP for Urfa, said: “Our wound continues to bleed. Six years have passed but the perpetrators are yet to be brought to justice.

Yasemin Boyraz, who lost her mother, Nazegül Boyraz, in the massacre said: “After the attack, the police attacked us. This site is located between two police stations. The police forces who have subjected us to a body search today did not do it to ISIS members that day. Instead, the victims were declared guilty.”

Abdullah Öncel, President of Urfa Bar Association, vowed to continue their struggle to ensure that all those involved in cooperation with ISIS at the time would be brought to justice.

The crowd was prevented by the police from visiting the graves of victims Kasım Deprem and Osman Çiçek at Suruç Asri Cemetery on the grounds that no activity could be organised at a holy place. The group then made a statement at the entrance of the cemetery.

Speaking here, HDP Urfa provincial co-chair Ahmet Atış said: “Young people were murdered viciously and visits to their graves are banned. We call on the prime minister of the time, Ahmet Davutoğlu, not to be complicit in this crime and to speak out. The obstruction we face here today is a totally arbitrary measure.”