The PKK, led by commander Mahsum Korkmaz (Agit) launched the first armed actions in Eruh and Şemdinli, in North Kurdistan, on 15 August 1984. 

In the past 34 years a great social and thought revolution has been taking place in Kurdistan under the leadership of the PKK.

As every year, the actions of 15 August 1984 are celebrated all over Kurdistan and far beyond. 

Bashir Mele Newaf of the Qamishlo Intellectuals Union, described the 15 August action as "the beginning of a great revolution in Kurdistan”. 

"This is not just the anniversary of the armed action by an armed organisation. - he said - At the same time it is the celebration of an ideological, cultural, social, women's revolution for humanity. 15 August is the first day of the defeat of the invading Turkish army".

Newaf added: “The Kurdish people got up again after the 15 August actions. They were fighting against their enslavement and the colonial rule, and they were standing up to reclaim their destiny and future and take them in their hands."

“The Turkish state chauvinism and colonialism had almost strangled the Kurdish people. The 15 August actions were some sort of miracle for the whole Middle East, as they were carried out against all odds. So much so that the 15th of August was the day in which a society which some wanted condemned to silence, instead stood up and began fighting against the colonial occupation”.

Newaf also pointed out that the 15 August actions were not aiming at a blind revenge. They were instead aiming at freedom of the society, after a correct historical analysis and awareness. These actions changed the mindset of society and moved oppressed peoples towards freedom".

The achievements of the Rojava revolution, said Newaf, are the continuation of the 15 August actions. 

Although the 15 August actions were carried out in North Kurdistan against Turkish colonialist occupation, they had a repercussion all over Kurdistan and the Middle East.

Indeed, said the Kurdish intellectual, today Rojava revolution is a result of that actions. 

“The people of Rojava - said Newaf - were preparing for their own 15th of August. The achievements gained against the occupiers in Rojava and the ongoing revolution are the outcome of 15 August 1984”.