Guerrillas are welcoming the 40th anniversary of the August 15 Initiative, when the Kurdish freedom movement fired the first bullet at the Turkish army in Eruh, Siirt in 1984. A 36-strong guerrilla force led by the legendary commander Mahsum Korkmaz – also known by his nom de Guerre Egîd (“the Brave”) – carried out the first attack against the Turkish occupying forces that day, which is considered the beginning of the armed struggle of the Kurdish liberation movement.

HPG (People’s Defense Forces) and YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) guerrillas are welcoming the 15 August initiative with great enthusiasm and morale in the guerrilla-held Medya Defence Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

HPG guerrillas Çirav Cudî, Rubar Serhed and YJA Star guerrilla Dîcle Fırat spoke to ANF about the historic move.

YJA Star guerrilla Dîcle Fırat said: “We are in a very challenging war. Our battle is progressing on the path of Comrade Egîd. The occupying Turkish army was sure that it could break the will of the guerrillas with its technology. But it was not so. We have developed tunnel warfare, we have developed air warfare. We are moving towards great success moment by moment. The leader used to say, “The war is looking for its commander”. This war found its commander in the person of Comrade Egîd, and this spirit continues under the leadership of many self-sacrificial fellows.”

Drawing attention to the downing of the Turkish drones by the guerrillas, HPG guerrilla Çirav Cudî emphasised that 15 August was the day of the resurrection of the Kurdish people. Noting that the Kurdish people said ‘no’ to slavery with this move, guerrilla Çirav Cudî said, “The year 2024 started with the spirit of the 15 August move. On Newroz (Kurdish New Year day on March 21), the good news was announced that several UCAVs had been shot down. 15 August means a revolution in itself against a plan to subject a people to genocide. However, on 15 August, the people stood up and broke the chain of slavery imposed on them. Therefore, the 15th of August is of great importance not only for the Kurdish people but also for the peoples of the world. We celebrate this day as a holiday.”

HPG guerrilla Rubar Serhed drew attention to the period before the 15 August Breakthrough. Emphasising that Egîd, the great commander of the PKK, shocked the enemy by firing the first bullet, guerrilla Rubar Serhed continued: “The enemy believed that they had destroyed the Kurds by occupying Kurdistan. They committed genocide against the Kurdish people in the mountains of Ararat, Amed and Dersim. According to the enemy, it was impossible for the Kurds to rise up again. Therefore, the first bullet fired on 15 August 1984 was very important. This was the strongest reaction against occupation. Today, as guerrillas, we are fighting on the path of Comrade Egîd and dealing heavy blows to the enemy. The occupying soldiers are committing suicide and trying every way to escape from the war. The occupying soldiers are fighting because they are paid, but the guerrillas are fighting for the freedom of their people, for human dignity. We will fight to the end and win this war.”