Thousands of people gathered at the Free Women's Square in Kobanê on Friday to celebrate Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s birthday. Masses then marched to the ‘Leader’s House’ in Elpelûr village of Kobanê.

The people then held a celebration at the Martyr Egîd Square where Öcalan’s speeches about the revolution were played on loudspeakers.

Euphrates Canton Kongra Star Coordination Member Şevîn Armanc congratulated Öcalan and the families of martyrs on April 4.

Emphasizing that women and the people were liberated thanks to the work of Öcalan, Şevîn Armanc said, “We have reached this stage thanks to Leader Öcalan and freedom is near. We will ensure the freedom of the leader.”

Şevîn Armanc said, “Leader Öcalan’s message to us was for all peoples. The more we strengthen our struggle, the more we will be able to ensure the physical freedom of Leader Öcalan.”

Peyman Elş, Coordination Member of Kongra Star Euphrates Canton, read a message from the YPJ (Women’s Protection Units), which said the following: “April 4 is the birthday of Leader Öcalan and the founding day of YPJ. This is not only the birthday of a new life and society, but also the birthday of women's freedom and democratic society. The women's army is the guarantee of the freedom of society.”

The message continued: “Leader Öcalan defeated capitalist life himself. Happy birthday to Leader Öcalan and the anniversary of the founding of YPJ to all our people and fighters. With their struggle, our martyred comrades left us a strong legacy of freedom.”

The celebration ended with the slogans “Bijî Serok Apo” [Long Live Leader Öcalan], “Bê Serok jiyan nabe” [No Life Without the Leader], “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” [Woman, Life, Freedom] and “Berxwedan jiyan e” [Resistance is Life].