Today, 1 November, marks the 10th anniversary of massive demonstrations which took place all over the world in solidarity with the resistance of the city of Kobanê, in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava). At that time, the city was under siege by ISIS forces and was resisting with all of its forces against the brutal assault of the extremist group. Revolutionaries, anti-fascists, leftists and democratic peoples all around the world took to the streets to demonstrate solidarity with the resistance of Kobanê.
The EU-Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) and the Peace in Kurdistan Campaign Initiative played an important role in attracting attention to the happenings in Kobanê by launching the ‘Global Rally against ISIS – for Kobanê– for Humanity’ campaign. In the first four days, 130 high-profile individuals from around the world signed the petition. They included Nobel Peace Prize laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu from South Africa and Médecins du Monde President Michel Roland from Belgium. Their collective voice resonated with a call for global action against ISIS in support of Kobanê and of humanity.
The signatories wrote, at the time: “If the world wants democracy in the Middle East, it should support the Kurdish resistance in Kobanê. Democratic autonomy in Rojava promises a free future for all the peoples of Syria. In this regard, the ‘Rojava model’ – the secular, non-sectarian, democratic position in Rojava – is the model that practices unity in diversity.”
Today, TEV-DEM, the Movement for a Democratic Society in North and East Syria, released a statement marking the 10-year anniversary of the historic battle. They wrote:
“A historic resistance was put up in Kobanê and the dreams of the conspirators and Turkish fascism were frustrated. Nobel laureates, historians, philosophers and non-governmental organisations declared 1 November 2014 as the day of support and solidarity for Kobanê. Millions of people around the world took to the streets and Kobanê became a global symbol, with the world seeing how Kobanê defended democracy and the common values of humanity.”
TEV-DEM pointed out that the revolution in North and East Syria needs defending now, more than ever: “Occupiers, gangs and conspirators are again targeting the gains of the resistance of Kobanê and Rojava Kurdistan. We call for increased global support for Rojavayê (Western) Kurdistan and the gains of the peoples of North and East Syria. Rojava resisted humanity; humanity must also protect Rojava.”
The people of North and East Syria have come under heavy Turkish attacks this month, with Turkish bombardment claiming the lives of 17 civilians. Ubayd Ettê, a citizen of North and East Syria, made this statement:
“Our people are steadfast in resistance and will continue their struggle. The people are united, drawing strength from each other and the Democratic Nation project. They understand that the solution lies in the Democratic Nation. These attacks do not intimidate the people nor cause them to retreat from resistance. On the contrary, we have seen that we win when we resist.”
The Kurdish Freedom Movement is currently mobilising for the release of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) co-founder Abdullah Öcalan, who inspired the resistance of Kobanê, and has now been imprisoned by Turkey for over 25 years. Hopes have been reawakened for a renewed peace process with Öcalan at its centre. The ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan: A Political Solution to the Kurdish Question’ campaign is calling for global support again to secure Öcalan’s release, and bring his dreams of a just, ecologically sustainable society with women’s freedom and radical democracy at its centre, closer to fruition. Building that global movement will serve to advance the courageous, radical vision of the Kobanê resistance, and honour those who sacrificed themselves for the struggle.
