Thousands of people from Northern and Eastern Syria have paid their tribute to the five Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters, Sosin Bîrhat, Rênas Roj, Egîd Girkêlegê, Rûbar Hesekê and Seyfullah Ehmed, who lost their lives on Thursday in a drone attack carried out by the Turkish state in Til Temir and Qamishlo.

Many traveled to Hesekê from almost all regions of the autonomous regions to pay their last respects to the fallen.

The coffins were accompanied in a procession through the city. Along the streets people stood close together and applauded the martyrs. In the Şehîd Dijwar cemetery, the martyrs were saluted with a military ceremony. The coffin of the YPJ commander Sosin Bîrhat, who was also a member of the Military Council of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), was shouldered by women.

A minute's silence for the martyrs

Among the mourners were the co-chairs of the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria, those in charge of the self-government councils, personalities from politics, society and culture as well as leading members of the self-defense organizations SDF, YPG, YPJ and Asayîş.

YPJ commander Arzî Hesen said in a speech that the martyrs will be avenged. “Turkey's goal is to destroy the project of a democratic nation in Northern and Eastern Syria,” said Hesen, adding: “With their increased attacks, the occupiers will not be able to break our will. We hold on to the resistance. Giving up is not an option. We will fight to the last drop of our blood and defend our peoples against the Turkish occupying state. As long as we have the support of our people, nobody can defeat us."

The co-chairman of the Executive Council of the Jazira region, Talat Younes, described the ongoing attacks by Turkey and its occupation militias as "part of the genocide" against the peoples of Northern and Eastern Syria and condemned the international community that tolerates these attacks. “The Turkish state is on a campaign of extermination against us and is carrying out ethnic cleansing. But the world is silent.”

Three Asayîş members laid to rest

The certificates of death were read out and given to the families. Rûbar Hesekê was buried under the slogan “Şehîd namirin” (the fallen are immortal) in the Şehîd Dijwar cemetery.

The Asayîş members Hozan Umer (Ariş Cizîrê), Farûq Mihemed (Yehiya Çiya) and Mihemed Seîd Esed (Goran) were also buried while the remains of Rênas Roj and Egîd Girkêlegê were transferred to Dêrik for burial. Seyfullah Ehmed was buried in Til Temir. The coffin of Sosin Bîrhat was brought to Sheba.