The Kurdish New Year, Newroz, was also celebrated with great enthusiasm in the autonomous region of North and East Syria. Tens of thousands of Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Armenians and Turkmens gathered in eleven cities to celebrate Newroz together under the motto “The physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan is the guarantee of a democratic society”.

The first Newroz after the fall of the Baath regime

This year's Newroz was the first one after the fall of the Baath regime and at the same time a moment that took on special significance due to Abdullah Öcalan's historic ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’.

Kobanê

In Kobanê, the festival was celebrated on the symbolic Mishtenur Hill.

After the lighting of the Newroz fire, Mizgîn Xelîl, Co-Chair of the Executive Council of the Euphrates Canton Autonomous Administration, congratulated Abdullah Öcalan and all the fighters on the war fronts on Newroz.

Ferhan Hac Îsa, Co-Chair of the Euphrates Canton Autonomous Administration, said: “The freedom of the peoples depends on the physical freedom of Leader Öcalan. We send our greetings to İmralı from here.”

Hesen Koçer, Advisor to the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, said, “This year we celebrate Newroz with the spirit of resistance of Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the SDF.”

Mecîde Hesen, Member of the Kongra Star Euphrates Canton Coordination, stated that what makes the 2025 Newroz different from the previous years is Öcalan’s 'Call for Peace and Democratic Society' and said, “We will increase our resistance until Leader Abdullah Öcalan lights the Newroz fire with his own hands.”

  

Amudê

In Cagir Baza, a village near Amûdê, the Newroz fire was lit by members of the Council of Martyrs’ Families, accompanied by a minute's silence in memory of all those who lost their lives in the resistance. In his speech, the co-chair of the PYD, Xerîb Hiso, declared that this Newroz was dedicated to freedom, self-determination and a solution to the Kurdish question and all other conflicts in the Middle East: “This year, the Newroz fire was lit with the strong will of our people throughout Syria. This power has shown that it is invincible.”

Hiso recalled the symbolic power of the Newroz fire – which was lit by Kawa the blacksmith, the hero in the mythological origin story of Newroz, and was passed on by personalities such as the PKK co-founder Mazlum Doğan, who in 1982 took his own life in the Diyarbakır prison in protest against repression and torture, after setting his cell on fire. Hiso emphasized that it is burning even stronger this year through the philosophy of Öcalan: “Öcalan's call for peace and a democratic society has also rekindled the fire of hope here in Syria. This message has now become a global call for a solution and dignity.”

Qamishlo

The people of Qamishlo celebrated their first Newroz after the overthrow of the Baath regime at the Newroz Area in Hîmo village.

Speaking at the celebration that started with the lighting of the Newroz fire, Qamishlo Newroz Preparation Committee member Taz Pasha wished a happy Newroz to Abdullah Öcalan, SDF fighters and the people resisting at Tishrin Dam.

Cewahir Osman, a member of the Women's Council of the Assembly of Martyrs' Families, called for support for Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call and emphasized that they will raise the struggle for the freedom of the Kurdish leader.

After the speeches, the celebration continued with the performance of singer Semîh Şiqeêr and music bands.

Hesekê

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Hesekê, some of whom travelled from surrounding cities such as Til Berak, Hol and Shaddadi. The celebration began with a minute of silence and the lighting of the Newroz fire, under banners bearing the image of Abdullah Öcalan and the flags of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the People's and Women's Defense Units (YPG and YPJ). Many participants appeared in traditional dress and listened to the voice of Öcalan. The Kurdish leader’s 2013 Newroz message was played over loudspeakers.

Kurdish politician Foza Yusîf, a member of the PYD's Presidential Council, emphasized the importance of Öcalan's message for this year's Newroz. She condemned the attacks by the Turkish state on northern and eastern Syria and emphasized the determination of the people not to bow to oppression. At the same time, she criticized the latest draft of the constitution proposed by the Syrian government in Damascus: “We have resisted the Baathist regime for over 54 years and lost over 14,000 people. A draft constitution that does not recognize our rights is unacceptable to us.”

Yusîf called on the new Syrian regime to guarantee the rights of all social groups and to take the self-government of North and East Syria as a model. In conclusion, the politician stated that Newroz 2025 should go down in history as the “Newroz of Freedom” with the aim of achieving the physical freedom of Öcalan: “Our greatest hope is that Mr. Öcalan will be able to speak directly to his people next year. Our resistance and unity show the way.”

Raqqa

Addressing the crowd during the celebrations in Raqqa, Mishlib al-Turkan, co-chair of the Executive Council of the Democratic Autonomous Administration, said: “This year's Newroz marks a new era with the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime.”

“Newroz is dedicated to our martyrs who sacrificed for freedom and honor,” said Xod al-Isa, spokesperson for the Zenubia Women's Community.

Dirbesiyê

The celebrations in Çolbibtan village took place with the participation of thousands of people from Dirbesiyê, Til Temir and Zergan.

Cahit Hesen, an executive of TEV-DEM, said that Newroz is an opportunity for the construction of a democratic society.

Natwî Xemgîn from Kongra Star drew attention to the attacks by the Turkish state and extremist mentalities against the peoples in the region.

Girkê Legê

At the celebration held in Halikê village, Hemrîn Elî, Co-Chair of the People's Assembly, emphasized that what makes this year's Newroz different is Abdullah Öcalan’s historic message. Talat Yûnis of the PYD said that freedom is getting closer and the struggle must be increased.

Tabqa

The celebrations in Tabqa took place at the stadium. IDPs from Afrin and Shehba also attended the event.

Şêx Hemed El Faraj from Tabqa Canton called for unity and solidarity.

Semîra Hebeş, spokesperson of the Zenubia Women's Community, emphasized that Newroz means resistance and justice.

Aleppo

Displaced people from Afrin also participated in the Newroz celebrations held in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. Relatives of martyrs lit the Newroz fire.

Hevîn Silêman, Co-Chair of the General Assembly of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah, said, “Newroz is the symbol of rebellion against the oppressive regimes.” Îbrahîm Faûr, a member of the Future of Syria Party, and Rafî Derwîş, speaking on behalf of the Kurds of Hemali, stated that the struggle for the freedom of Leader Apo will continue.