The Democratic Union Party (PYD) released a statement marking the 38th anniversary of 15 August 1984 when “the first shot” was fired by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) at the Turkish army in Eruh district of Siirt in North Kurdistan.

The PYD congratulated the 38th anniversary of “15 August Initiative, the day of the resurrection of the Kurdish people and all the peoples in Kurdistan, on Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, families of martyrs, as well as on military and revolutionary forces.”

The statement by the PYD General Council further stated the following:

“The first bullet shot by a military commander has today become a revolutionary approach towards freedom and democracy in the history of the peoples of the region.

Reaching an ideological and military meaning, the August 15 Initiative became a theory originating from a democratic school of thought which exceeds the borders of the Middle East and the world.

The spirit of commitment developed by the 15 August Initiative has created a spirit of victory amongst all revolutionaries in the region. This spirit has now transformed into the basis of a sense of freedom, social revolution and women’s revolution. At the same time, it laid the foundation of a democratic nation in accordance with the principles of a democratic nation.

On this basis, we should remain more committed to the idea and philosophy of the 15 August Initiative. We once again celebrate the 38th anniversary of the 15 August Initiative for leader Öcalan, revolutionaries of freedom, and all revolutionary peoples in Kurdistan and Syria.”