Messages from Girkê Legê's Newroz: Kurdish unity, attachment to identity, new phase of struggle

Under the slogan “Let us make Newroz a holiday for the freedom of Leader Apo and Kurdish democratic unity,” and in a scene filled with bright colors, joyful chants, and resistance slogans, residents of Girkê Legê, Çil Agha, and the villages of Alyan in the Jazira region celebrated Newroz 2026, defying cold and rainy weather to affirm that the holiday represents a symbolic moment to reaffirm identity, unity, and continuity.

Determination to celebrate

Since early morning, despite the cold weather, residents gathered at the celebration square wearing traditional Kurdish clothing, giving the place a distinctive heritage atmosphere. The area was decorated with pictures of Leader Abdullah Ocalan, flags of the YPG and YPJ, as well as banners of the Martyrs’ Families Council and congratulatory signs bearing the Newroz slogan.

Before the event began, the organizing committee welcomed the attendees amid chants of “Long live the resistance of the Kurdish people” and “Long live Kurdish unity,” in a scene reflecting the collective spirit that marked this year’s celebration.

The Newroz flame: symbol of sacrifice

The lighting of the Newroz flame marked the peak of the event, as mothers of martyrs gathered around the fire and lit it, while the crowd observed a moment of silence for the souls of the martyrs, in a message linking Newroz with the sacrifices made by the Kurdish people throughout history.

Political messages

In his speech, Autonomous Administration advisor Hasan Kocher described this year as the “Newroz of resistance,” noting that the Kurdish people created this day through long struggle. He pointed to threats targeting the Kurdish presence in Rojava and Southern Kurdistan, stressing that these challenges require strengthening unity.

He also referred to ongoing conspiracies against the project of the Democratic Nation, emphasizing the role of Leader Abdullah Ocalan in confronting them, and called for unity around the Autonomous Administration, saying the current stage requires comprehensive Kurdish unity and that Newroz 2026 should be the Newroz of Kurdish unity.

Newroz as identity and culture

The celebration was not only political but also a living expression of Kurdish cultural identity. Traditional Kurdish dress had a strong presence, and participant Dima Avdi, in a statement to ANHA agency, said that the clothing represents the history and culture of the Kurdish people, and wearing it during Newroz reflects their attachment to identity and their determination to preserve it.

Coexistence: a message of Newroz

One of the most notable aspects of the celebration was the participation of different components of the region, including Arabs and Syriac-Assyrians, giving the event a unifying character.

In this context, citizen Mohammad Hasnawi from the Arab community said that Newroz is “a holiday for everyone,” stressing that the people of the region share the same land and destiny, which strengthens the values of coexistence.

Spirit of Kurdish unity

The spirit of Kurdish unity was clearly evident in this year’s Newroz, according to participants’ views. Atif Sabri noted that the celebration carried special meanings reflecting the cohesion of Kurdish ranks, stressing that this spirit strengthens national belonging and pushes toward a new phase of struggle.

For his part, Idris Malla Sharif said that Newroz 2026 represents a continuation of a long path of resistance, from the mountains of Kurdistan to Amed Prison and the regions of northern Syria, stressing that this struggle has contributed to unifying Kurdish ranks, and that this year’s Newroz marks the beginning of a new political and rights-based struggle.

From Southern Kurdistan to Rojava… unity of blood and stance

The participation of martyrs’ families carried a strong message, especially with the presence of relatives of martyr Ahmed Karkuki (Ahmed Hemen Omar), who came from Southern Kurdistan to Rojava to attend the celebration. The martyr, originally from Kirkuk, responded to the call for general mobilization and moved to defend Rojava, where he was martyred on January 27 in Hasakah.

His cousin Alan Omar, who attended the celebration, said that this year’s Newroz reflects the unity of Kurdish blood and position from Southern Kurdistan to Rojava, stressing that these sacrifices mark the beginning of a new stage of shared struggle and stronger Kurdish unity.

Despite the difficult weather conditions, people insisted on attending, sending a clear message that Newroz will remain a unifying occasion expressing the peoples’ aspirations for freedom and unity, and that the will to live is stronger than all challenges.

A-H 

ANHA