Thousands of people flooded the streets of Qamishli (Qamişlo) on 21 January to bid farewell to Kurdish actor Bavê Teyar and other civilians who were killed in a Turkish airstrike on the Tishreen (Tişrîn) Dam sit-in vigil. The funeral, held at the Martyr Delîl Sarûxan Cemetery, transformed into a powerful demonstration of solidarity and resistance.
The mourners included representatives from Kurdish, Arab, Armenian, Syriac, and Assyrian communities, as well as members of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), and local Arab tribes. The ceremony began with a moment of silence, followed by speeches commemorating the martyrs and denouncing ongoing attacks on northern Syria.
Speaking at the funeral, Yusuf from the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Co-Presidency Council declared, “From the martyrdom capital of Qamişlo, we salute the fighters of the SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] and YPJ [People’s Protection Units] and all those resisting for freedom. The Turkish state seeks to erase our identity in a new Syria, but we will not surrender. The Kurdish people will secure their rights.”
Rihan Loqo, spokesperson for Kongra Star, stated, “The Turkish state aims to destroy the Kurdish people through continuous conspiracies and violence. Yet, our people showed immense courage in standing with Tishreen Dam. The dam, like Kobanê, has become a symbol of honour and resistance,” referring to Kobani (Kobanê), the town which led a historic defeat against ISIS in 2015.
Mihemed Mela Reşid El Xerzî, co-chair of the North and East Syria Democratic Islamic Congress, called the infrastructure a “dam of resistance”, emphasising its strategic and symbolic importance in the struggle for freedom and autonomy.
Farewell to Bavê Teyar
Ferhad Merdê, a fellow artist, addressed Bavê Teyar during an emotional tribute: “If only you could see how many people stand for you today. Your laughter and resistance have inspired generations, and your legacy will live on.”
Born as Cuma Xelîl in Qamişlo in 1957, Bavê Teyar dedicated over three decades to Kurdish theatre and cultural preservation. Known for his humour and artistry, he became a symbol of resilience and a beloved figure in Kurdish society. His theatre troupe, Bavê Teyar Theatre, combined performance, music, and comedy to address critical issues, from gender equality to societal struggles.
Bavê Teyar’s participation in the Tishreen sit-in vigil reflected his lifelong commitment to peace and Kurdish unity. “We are not afraid of death. We will defend our land to the end,” he said in a recent interview.
The funeral highlighted the shared grief and determination of the region’s communities. As the coffins were lowered into the ground, chants of “Martyrs are immortal” and “Resistance is life” echoed throughout the cemetery. Representatives from the Martyrs’ Families Council presented martyrdom certificates to the families of the deceased, symbolising their eternal place in the Kurdish struggle.
The Tishreen Dam, a vital infrastructure on the Euphrates River, has been a focal point of Turkish aggression since 12 December, with repeated aircraft and drone strikes leaving over 400,000 people without water or electricity. The sit-in vigil, initiated on 7 January, aims to protect the dam and draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis in northern Syria.
International observers have condemned the attacks, urging the establishment of a no-fly zone to prevent further civilian casualties and protect critical infrastructure.
