Italian internationalist YPG fighter Lorenzo Orsetti (Tekoşer Piling) lost his life in Baghouz on 18 March 2019 during the battle against ISIS mercenaries. 

Lorenzo Orsetti came from Florence and went to Rojava in 2017. In 2018, he fought in Afrin against the Turkish occupation.

The last ISIS enclave of Baghouz in eastern Syria was freed a few days after his death, on 23 March 2019, when the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) declared victory over ISIS.

On Sunday a memorial was held in Florence, at the Porte Sante graveyard.

The last message

In a message written before falling as a martyr, the Italian internationalists had written this message: "Hello. If you are reading this message, then it means that I am no longer in this world. Don’t be too sad, though, I’m OK with it; I don’t have any regrets and I died doing what I thought was right, defending the weak and staying true to my ideals of justice, equality and liberty.

So, in spite of my premature departure, my life has been a success, and I’m almost certain that I went with a smile on my face. 

I wish all of you the best in the world and I hope that one day, you too will decide to give your life for others (if you haven’t already) because that is the only way to change the world.

Only by combating individualism and egoism in each of us can we make a difference. These are difficult times, I know, but don’t give in to despair, don’t ever abandon hope, never! Not even for a second.

Even when all seems lost, when the evils that plague the earth and humanity seem insurmountable, you must find strength, you must inspire strength in your comrades.

It is in the darkest moments that we have the greatest need of your light.

And always remember that “every storm begins with a single raindrop”. You must be that raindrop.

I love you all. I hope you will treasure these words for time to come.

Serkeftin!

Orso,

Tekoşer,

Lorenzo."