Diverse events affirm that martyrs' blood becomes flame of struggle

On March 12th, 2004, Kurds and Arabs found themselves facing a dangerous plot orchestrated by Ba'ath Party officials and its security apparatus in order to ignite sectarian strife between the two communities, transforming a football match between Al-Jihad Club from Qamishlo and Al-Futuwa Club from Deir ez-Zor into a clash between their fans. What was intended as a feud between advocators escalated into a widespread popular uprising after security forces opened fire on Kurdish youth, resulting in the death of approximately 38 civilians and injury of hundreds, in addition to arresting thousands and imposing strict security measures in Kurdish cities.

As the 22nd anniversary of the uprising approached, cities in the Jazira region witnessed a series of events commemorating the martyrs. Ceremonies, statements, and visits to martyrs' shrines were organized in Qamishlo, Amuda, Tirbê Spiyê, Girkê Legê, Jel Agha, and Derik. During these events, the residents remembered the sacrifices of the martyrs and affirmed their continued struggle for freedom and justice.

Qamishlo

In Qamishlo, the city council issued a statement to the public opinion at the Martyrs of March 12th Stadium, the site of the massacre perpetrated by the Ba'athist regime against the Kurdish people in 2004.

Hundreds of residents, along with representatives of civil institutions and women and youth organizations, participated in the event. The statement was read in Arabic by Ahmed Abbousi; the co-chair of the Qamishlo City Council, and in Kurdish by teacher Hanan Bakr.

The statement declared that the memory of March 12th remained etched in the minds of the Kurdish people and all the peoples of Syria. It emphasized that what had occurred on that day had not been an isolated incident, but rather a direct consequence of the policies of exclusion and oppression practiced by the Ba'athist regime for decades against the Kurdish people, ranging from the denial of their identity to the deprivation of their basic rights and attempts to alter the demographic makeup of Kurdish areas.

The statement noted that the blood of the martyrs of March 12th had become a flame of resistance, as Kurdish cities in Jazira, Kobani, and Afrin rose up in defense of dignity and freedom, making this date a symbol of the Kurdish people's struggle for justice, recognition, and a free life.

The statement also emphasized that the current stage required the cooperation of all components of Syrian society to build a democratic, pluralistic state based on justice and equality, reaffirming the commitment to political and democratic struggle to secure the national rights of the Kurdish people and build a decentralized democratic system that guarantees the rights of all its constituent groups.

Girkê Legê

In the city of Girkê Legê, the Martyrs' Families Council issued a statement at Azadi Square, in the presence of members of civil organizations and a number of the city's residents.

The statement was read by Bashir Sofi; the member of the Martyrs' Families Council, who affirmed that the March 12th Uprising had marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Kurdish people's struggle. He stated that the sons and daughters of the Kurdish people had stood against injustice and marginalization, making great sacrifices in defense of freedom, dignity, and their legitimate rights.

The statement added that this uprising had been a cry for justice against policies that had attempted to erase the Kurdish people's identity, culture, and will. It emphasized that the anniversary of March 12th served as a renewed message that the will of the people could not be broken, no matter how dire the circumstances.

Amuda

In the city of Amuda, the city council and local villages organized a commemoration event at the Free Woman Square, attended by residents and representatives of civil and service institutions.

During the event, a statement was read by the co-chair of the city council, Abdul Baqi Omer, emphasizing that the March 12th Uprising had marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Kurdish people's struggle. He stated that the masses had confronted the regime's machinery of repression, sacrificing dozens of martyrs, hundreds of wounded, and thousands of detainees in defense of dignity and freedom.

The statement indicated that the spark of the uprising had ignited in the city of Qamishlo as a result of the regime's repressive policies and its attempts to incite discord among the various components of the Syrian people. It affirmed that the uprising had contributed to breaking the barrier of fear of tyranny.

The statement also called for a responsible national dialogue leading to the drafting of a permanent constitution for Syria that guarantees the rights of all its constituent groups.

Tirbê Spiyê

In the city of Tirbê Spiyê, the residents commemorated the anniversary by visiting the shrines of the uprising's martyrs in the towns of Halwa and Tel Ma'rouf, with the participation of the Martyrs' Families Council and the city and town councils.

In Halwa town, the participants visited the shrine of martyr Mohamed Amin Sayed and laid wreaths at his tomb. Khurma Ali; the administrator of the Martyrs' Families Council, delivered a speech emphasizing that the Qamishlo Uprising, in which the Kurdish people had made great sacrifices, had ignited the Syrian revolution against Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Hassen Mohamed also delivered a speech on behalf of the martyr's family, expressing their pride in their son's sacrifices in standing against sedition and tyranny attempts.

In Tel Ma'rouf town, the residents visited the shrine of martyr Ziyad Yousef, where Hussein Khalid; the administrator of the Martyrs' Families Council, noted that the sacrifices of 2004 had marked a turning point in the course of the popular struggle.

Jel Agha

In the city of Jel Agha and its surrounding countryside, a memorial ceremony was held at the shrine of the village of Abira, which houses the corpse of martyr Ahmed Mur'i Mohamed. The ceremony was attended by residents and members of civil and political organizations.

During the ceremony, Ahin Shweish; the member of the Martyrs' Families Council, read a statement affirming that the March 12th Uprising had been a stand of dignity against the Ba'athist regime and its policies of marginalization. She emphasized that the will of the people could not be broken, no matter how dire the circumstances.

The statement affirmed that the uprising had been a cry against the policies that had attempted to erase the Kurdish people's identity and culture. The residents pledged to follow in the footsteps of the martyrs and work towards a future of peace and justice for all communities.

Jamil Mohamed, the brother of martyr Ahmed Mur'i, also delivered a speech, affirming their commitment to continuing the path of the martyrs in defending the rights and gains of the Kurdish people.

Derik

In the city of Derik, the Martyrs' Families Council held a memorial ceremony for martyrs Hussein Ahmed and Walid Shahin, who were martyred during the March 12th Uprising.

The residents gathered at the Freedom Square before marching towards the Derik shrine, where they held a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs.

During the ceremony, Lawin Jadie; the co-chair of the Derik City Council, delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the March 12th Uprising had proved that the Kurdish people, through their unity, had been able to thwart the plans targeting them with genocide and displacement. He noted that the uprising had become a firmly established symbol in the history of the Kurdish people.

He also warned against new attempts to ignite Kurdish-Arab strife in the region, emphasizing that the residents would not allow a repeat of the Qamishlo massacre scenario and would continue their struggle to maintain civil peace.

The event concluded with the laying of wreaths at the martyrs' graves amid chants glorifying their sacrifices and affirming the continuation of the struggle for freedom and dignity.

ANHA