Newroz 2025: Call for leader Ocalan’s freedom, democratic transformation
On the occasion of Newruz, which tells the story of a resistance that has never known defeat, where fire transforms into light to break the darkness of tyranny, dances become the steps of a revolution charting the path to dignity, and songs turn into anthems of struggle.
Amidst the reaffirmation that freedom is born from the flames of resistance, and that the peoples who chant for light will never submit to darkness, the people of cities such as Hasaka, Tel Brak, Al-Hol, Al-Shaddadi, Darbasiya, Tel Tamr, Zarghan, Garkê legê, Çil Axa, Rmeilan, and Al-Tabqa — including Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Assyrians, and Armenians — lit the Newruz flame of 2025 under the banner of "The physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Ocalan guarantees a democratic Syria," during four celebrations.
Hasaka
In the city of Hasaka, where the spirit of resistance beats in the land, tens of thousands of people from Hasaka, Tel Brak, Al-Hol, and Al-Shaddadi, comprising Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Assyrians, and Armenians, gathered in the Newroz Square in the West Dam for the celebration of Newroz 2025, a festival where the flame of freedom is rekindled, and the hopes of peoples yearning for light are renewed.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence in reverence for the martyrs, who, through their sacrifices, provided the safety and serenity of this day. Their families then lit the Newroz flame, which danced in the sky, and the sounds of chants and ululations echoed, signaling the rise of a new dawn filled with hope and victory.
In the celebration square, portraits of leader Abdullah Ocalan and flags of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) rose high, while the crowd adorned themselves in folkloric attire, reflecting the richness of their cultures and long-standing history.
Following the lighting of the flame, the crowds listened to the words of leader Abdullah Ocalan, who spoke about Newroz as a symbol of resistance and liberation from oppression, marking the inevitable march towards freedom.
Fawza Yusuf, the Co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), delivered the opening speech for Newroz, congratulating the resilient and revolutionary peoples of North and East Syria, as well as the fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces on the frontlines, and extended special greetings to the resistance of the Shingal region.
Leader Abdullah Ocalan Shapes the Path to Peace in the Middle East
She emphasized that this year's Newroz carries a unique significance, stressing that the people's resistance forced the Turkish occupation to yield, leading to the release of leader Abdullah Ocalan, who now shapes the contours of peace in the Middle East.
The New Constitution and the Rights of Peoples
Fawza Yusuf stated, "We, the Kurdish people of North and East Syria, stood against the Ba'ath regime for 54 years, and with the will of our people, this regime fell. We sacrificed more than 14,000 martyrs to build a dignified life, but the new authority in Damascus and its constitution do not represent our rights. Therefore, we affirm that we will never accept any constitution that does not recognize us."
She called for the drafting of a pluralistic constitution that guarantees the rights of all components, urging the Damascus authorities to abandon their exclusionary policies and listen to the demands of peoples striving for freedom and democracy. She emphasized that the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria should serve as a model to be followed.
Goals for the Upcoming Phase
Fawza Yusuf highlighted that Newroz 2025 brings with it major goals, the most important of which is the liberation of leader Abdullah Ocalan from the system of torture and extermination, so that he may address the Kurds and all peoples yearning for freedom.
Additionally, the goal is to ensure the representation of North and East Syria in the new Syrian government to establish a democratic Syria.
She also stressed the necessity of the return of displaced people from Afrin, Serê Kaniyê, and Girê Spî/Tel Abyad to their cities, pledging to work tirelessly to achieve these goals, stating, "From here, we pledge to our people to continue advancing until their aspirations for freedom and dignity are realized."
On behalf of the Arab component, Sheikh Fahd Al-Sheikh Ibrahim, the member of the League of Noble Descendants, delivered a speech congratulating all peoples yearning for freedom, emphasizing that Newroz carries a message to the entire world, reflecting its historical authenticity and its values of struggle.
He pointed out that this year’s Newroz flame united all Syrians, from the north to the west of the country, in their liberation from the oppressive regime, wishing that Newroz 2025 would be a celebration of freedom and a step toward a democratic and pluralistic Syria.
Tribute to the fighters on the frontlines
Sheikh Fahd Al-Sheikh Ibrahim also praised the resistance of the fighters and freedom fighters on the fronts of Tishrin Dam and various other fronts, congratulating them on this occasion.
He concluded by reiterating the call for the freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan, stressing that Newroz marks the beginning of a new phase that will end with the fall of the tyrant Erdoğan and his mercenaries.
The Internal Security Forces and the Community Protection Forces have taken security measures for the celebration and its location, with medical teams and ambulances deployed at the celebration site to assist the people in case of any emergencies.
Al-Darbasiya
In the Newroz Gulbistan square in the countryside of Al-Darbasiya, tens of thousands of people from the cities of "Al-Darbasiya, Tal Tamr, and Zarghan" gathered to celebrate Newroz 2025.
After lighting the Newroz flame by the families of martyrs, Jihad Hassan, the administrator of the Democratic Society Movement, delivered a speech congratulating the Kurdish people and the fighters on the fronts in northern and eastern Syria.
Leader Abdullah Ocalan's Call… A Path to Peace and Democracy
Hassan pointed out that some are trying to distort the call of leader Abdullah Ocalan, presenting it as surrender, while in reality, it is a call for peace, the building of a democratic society, and the opening of the way for democratic politics and the rights of peoples.
He added, "Thousands of Syrians see hope in the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Autonomous Administration in NE Syria, and thousands of women find their freedom and future in the Free Women's Movement," emphasizing that any constitution that does not embody democratic values does not represent the Syrian people in all its components and spectra.
Turkish Occupation Commits Massacres Against All Components
For her part, Netwi Gmkin, the administrator in the Kongra Star, confirmed that the Turkish occupation and extremist mentality are committing massacres against all Syrian peoples, from Alawites to Kurds and Druze, noting that historically, Syria was unified by its people, but successive authorities sought to divide and oppress.
Gmkin warned that failing to stop the Turkish occupation’s aggression on NE Syria and its refusal to respond to leader Abdullah Ocalan's call would lead to catastrophe.
She also addressed the constitutional declaration approved by the Damascus authority, saying: "If the constitution is not democratic and does not address women's issues, Syria will remain in a continuous state of crisis."
Revolutionary People's War as a Key Strategy
Netwi Gmkin emphasized that the revolutionary people's war would be the main strategy in the coming phase if the authoritarian mentality does not change and if the ruling powers do not respond to the demands for democracy.
She stressed that the main goal is to protect women's rights in the Syrian constitution, to stop violence and killing against women, and called on the people to rally around the Syrian Democratic Forces and support them, urging young people to join the SDF and the Women's Protection Units to ensure the protection of women's rights and achieve a democratic Syria.
The celebration continues with artistic groups presenting musical and dance performances.
Garkê legê
In Garkê legê, Newroz celebrations were organized in the village of Halik under the slogan "Physical freedom for leader Abdullah Ocalan is a guarantee for a democratic society." After lighting the flame, the celebration activities began. During the event, Hemrin Ali, the head of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration, delivered a speech in which she congratulated leader Abdullah Ocalan, the resistance fighters at Tishrin Dam, and all the peoples on the occasion of Newroz.
She added, "What distinguishes Newroz this year from previous years is that we are celebrating with the spirit of Abdullah Ocalan's message, which is a sacred call for us. It requires us, especially led by women, to struggle to achieve the goals of this message. We are a people struggling under the slogans 'Resistance is Life' and 'Women, Life, Freedom,' and we will continue our struggle until we achieve the physical freedom of the leader and the goals of the revolution."
In turn, Talat Yunus, the member of the General Council of the Democratic Union Party, congratulated the attendees and all peoples on Newroz, saying: "Newroz this year is the beginning of achieving a democratic society; it is the Newroz of unity."
He added, "Therefore, Newroz this year carries a special meaning and value, because we are celebrating it under the slogan 'Freedom for leader Abdullah Ocalan,' which guarantees the building of a democratic society. His sacred call from Imrali prison was based on freedom and peace, and it is a step toward building a democratic society, especially in light of the crises the region is facing, which have deepened day by day. His call has become the solution to these dilemmas and the ongoing crises in the region and in Kurdistan."
He concluded by saying, "We are close to achieving our freedom and reaping the fruits of our struggle and resistance. Therefore, we must raise the pace of our struggle, and we will not stop until we achieve the physical freedom of the leader."
Tabqa
In the city of Tabqa, thousands of residents from the Tabqa canton and the displaced people of Afrin and Shahba, along with representatives from the Autonomous Administration, affiliated bodies and councils, the Syrian Future Party, the Zenoobia Women's Assembly, Syrian Democratic Forces, and Internal Security Forces, gathered at the Union Sports Stadium in the center of Tabqa to participate in the Nowruz celebration.
The celebration began with a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs, followed by the lighting of the Newroz flame. Sheikh Hamid Al-Farij, Co-President of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of the Tabqa Canton, delivered a speech, clarifying that Newroz was celebrated in northern and eastern Syria in an atmosphere of appreciation and remembrance of sacrifices and achievements. He confirmed that Newroz represents a holiday for freedom and peace, hoping for future celebrations alongside leader Abdullah Ocalan. He also praised the sacrifices of the free people and their uprisings against injustice, expressing his aspirations for a united and democratic Syria.
For his part, Mahmoud Al-Sail, the Co-President of the Martyrs’ Families Council in the Tabqa Canton, added that Newroz should represent a new beginning full of goodness and freedom, remembering the martyrs of freedom and their heroic role in securing safety.
Samira Habash, the spokesperson for the Zenoobia Women’s Assembly in Tabqa, said that Newroz represents an eternal message that resistance is life, and the flame of freedom lit by Kawa will remain burning until justice is achieved and tyranny is overcome. She pointed out that the fall of the authoritarian regime this year strengthens the hope for a secure and prosperous future for all Syrians, without discrimination.
Samira Habash also emphasized that the Turkish occupation will not break the spirit of resistance, but will only intensify it. She concluded her speech by affirming that Newroz this year will be a new beginning to end oppression and build a democratic, pluralistic state that guarantees security and prosperity for all.
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ANHA
