Marking the 26th anniversary of the 1999 abduction of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, tens of thousands of Kurds, Armenians, Syriacs, Arabs, and other ethnic communities across northeastern Syria—including in Kobani, Hasakah, Qamishlo, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor and Derik (Dêrikê)—rallied to demand his release. Protesters stressed that securing Öcalan’s freedom is essential for peace, democracy, and coexistence in Syria’s political future.
In Qamishlo, Democratic Union Party (PYD) member Foza Yusif condemned the ongoing isolation and torture imposed on Öcalan in Imrali prison, stating:
“Despite 26 years of Öcalan’s imprisonment, his ideas and intellectual paradigm have only strengthened, uniting not just Kurds but all ethnic groups in northeastern Syria around the vision of coexistence and peace.”
Yusif further underscored the significance of the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom)—one of Öcalan’s key contributions—saying:
“Women of all ethnicities in northeastern Syria recognise that Öcalan’s freedom is crucial not only for peace and decentralised governance in Syria but also for social justice and gender equality.”
In Hasakah (Hesekê), a mass demonstration brought together a diverse crowd of Kurds and Arabs demanding Öcalan’s release. As marchers chanted for his freedom, Aldar Khalil, a leading member of the PYD, delivered a speech emphasising the broader impact of Öcalan’s philosophy:
“Öcalan’s ideas are central to achieving peace and democracy—not only in Syria but across the Middle East. We focus on no other issue before securing his freedom.”
Drawing from historical context, Khalil highlighted:
"The aftermath of both World Wars led only to the consolidation of authoritarian, centralised nation-states. In contrast, Öcalan’s paradigm champions coexistence, democracy, and freedom, elevating the struggle for liberation to a new level."
Khalil pointed to “Rojava’s democratic self-administration” as a living embodiment of Öcalan’s vision:
“Thanks to Öcalan’s philosophy, we in northeastern Syria have organised ourselves to resist Turkish occupation and its mercenaries.”
He further stressed the region’s secular-democratic model:
“The governance model institutionalised here—rooted in Öcalan’s ideas—has fostered peaceful coexistence among Kurds, Syriacs, Arabs, and Armenians.”
Khalil concluded with a firm call for Öcalan’s release:
“Without Öcalan’s freedom, true democracy and peace cannot be realised—not just in Syria, but throughout the Middle East.”
In parallel, thousands in Tabqa Canton—including tribal elders, AANES representatives, political parties, women’s movements, religious figures, and refugees from Afrin and Shehba—marched to condemn the 26th anniversary of Öcalan’s arrest.
In a collective address, Riyad El Walî declared: “The people of the Euphrates rise as one to say: No to the Turkish occupation, no to the International Conspiracy.” He condemned the complicity of capitalist states in the plot against Öcalan, stating: “Leader Öcalan’s philosophy stands against capitalism.” El Walî affirmed that North and East Syria will remain mobilised until the occupied territories are liberated and Öcalan’s physical freedom is secured.
At a mass rally in Derik, thousands denounced the 15 February plot, vowing to resist until Öcalan’s freedom is secured.
Gathering under the slogan “We will darken the day until Leader Apo is free,” protesters carried Öcalan’s portraits and chanted: “There is no life without a leader” and “Öcalan’s freedom is the freedom of the peoples.”
Wefa Elî stressed that peace runs through Imrali, pledging to secure Öcalan’s release through unwavering struggle.
PYD Co-Chair Xerîb Hiso, declared:
“The resistance has thwarted every conspiracy against the Kurdish cause and the peoples of the Middle East. Today, the region’s peoples stand united in their demand for legitimate rights.”
Hiso reaffirmed that Öcalan’s philosophy is their guiding vision and vowed: “This struggle will not end until his freedom is achieved.”
On Saturday, large-scale demonstrations took place not only across northeastern Syria but also in Strasbourg, calling for the release of Öcalan from Turkey’s notorious Imrali prison. Kurds and their supporters believe that Öcalan’s freedom could be a pivotal step toward achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.
