Siltan Hemo has been operating in the social field for many years and is currently working with the PYD (Democratic Union Party). He talked to ANF about the Turkish state's attacks against Rojava.

Hemo said he got to know the Kurdish struggle in 1982. "Before we got to know the party, we knew we were Kurdish, but we were not very conscious about Kurdishness and patriotism. We gradually got to know the PKK and its struggle. We were carrying out public work on the basis of the philosophy of the leader and martyrs."

Hemo continued: "On 15 August 1990, I had the opportunity to get to know the leader [Abdullah Öcalan] more at Mahsum Korkmaz Academy.

When I first saw him in the Academy, I could not believe my eyes. I was so excited. The leader made assessments on 15 August. He did not want the war, he said, 'We shall deal with the attacks against us on the basis of defense.' This party developed with the labor of martyrs. He stated to us that martyrs had come before him and told us: 'Don't get bound to me, get bound with the martyrs." The leader has given us strength and has added more love for struggle. The life of the leader was always dedicated to working and reading. He asked us to read and constantly improve ourselves."

Siltan Hemo noted that Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan offers the opportunity to fight for all peoples, and added: "The evaluations of the leader are proving true today. The fact that Arab people are fighting along us shows that the freedom movement is fighting for all humanity. Our liberation will come together: today in Til Temir, Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian and many more peoples live and fight together."

Hemo reminded Öcalan saying 'Even if you cannot fight, bring the labor of our martyrs, talk about the struggle and organize people in your environment. If you cannot do anything, pray for the liberation of the oppressed people.' 

Hemo said: "He wanted everyone in the community to contribute and do his/her best for this struggle. Today, unity and organization increase in the people of the region. We want the freedom of our leader. The local people are getting more and more connected to this labor, party, martyrs. Our liberation against the enemy attacks is in this fight. The revolution is growing by the day."