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People from Kobani met in the village of Elpelûre – the first Syrian village Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan had visited. They celebrated Öcalan’s 72nd birthday there.
Thousands of people in the Kobani Canton of Northern and Eastern Syria celebrated the 72nd birthday of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan with the motto: “It is time to ensure Leader Apo’s Freedom”, reported Mesopotamia News Agency.
The celebrations were held at the “Leadership House” in the village of Elpelûre. The Autonomous Administration and its institutions and assemblies, Kongreya Star, TEV-DEM, the asayish forces, and the local residents attended the celebration events.
Öcalan’s voice recording was played after a minute of silence during the events, and then the President of Congress Raperîn Dêrik spoke. She stated that ‘4 April’ means the “rebirth for the Middle East, Kurdistan, and women”.
Dêrik continued: “We established our autonomous administration in Rojava and Northern and Eastern Syria by resisting. We will not stop until we liberate our leader. A life without our leader is worthless. That’s why I’m calling out to all the people from here: we should be in the field as women and youth. We can’t stop the resistance for even a second. We have to open the gates of Imralı. It is time to ensure freedom for our leader. Be Serok Jiyan nabe (‘No life without our leader’)”.
Bekir Hecî Issa: Öcalan is the leader that the peoples of the Middle East need
Democratic Union Party (PYD) Council member Bekir Hecî Issa stated that Öcalan is the leader that the peoples of the Middle East need. “The PYD was established with the efforts of Öcalan. That is why we have to defend Rêber Apo, our institutions, and our system. Our resistance will continue until Rêber Apo is free”.
Message from the YPJ
The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) also sent a message to the event organisers and participants. YPJ celebrated the birthday of Öcalan. They also made reference to the eighth anniversary of the foundation of the YPJ.
Following the messages and speeches, a run organised by the Democratic Society Academy took place as part of the celebration. The programme continued with music, poetry performances, folklore shows and ended with halay dances (traditional dances) and slogans.
