Popular marches demanding physical freedom of leader Ocalan, his right to hope

To demand the physical freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan and his right to hope, and in rejection of the isolation imposed on him by the Turkish state, hundreds of people from the cities of Tel Tamr, Zerkan and their towns and Al-Darbasiyah in Jazira region went out on Sunday in two separate mass marches.

Tel Tamr and Zerkan

A march of residents from the towns of Tel Tamr and Zerkan, and their surrounding villages, set off from Qandil Roundabout at the entrance of Tel Tamr, as the participants from various components; Arabs, Kurds, Syriacs, and Assyrians gathered, carrying pictures of leader Abdullah Ocalan and banners with, "We condemn the conspiracy and demand the physical freedom of Leader APO," written on

The march proceeded through the city's main streets, accompanied by chants calling on the international community and human rights organizations to intervene immediately and release the leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Upon reaching the Martyr Bilind Stadium in the city center, the march transformed into a large public gathering. Sanaa al-Thamer, the administrator of Kongra Star, delivered a speech on behalf of the people of Tel Tamr, emphasizing that the freedom of Abdullah Ocalan is fundamental to resolving the deep-rooted issues in the Middle East and that his isolation from the world obstructs any path to peace. She further noted that the freedom of women and the freedom of society as a whole are inextricably linked to the freedom of Abdullah Ocalan.

For his part, Shammas Keferkis, the leader in Khabur Guards Council, explained that the ideology of leader Abdullah Ocalan has formed a solid foundation for co-existence.

He added, "Our belief in his ideology and philosophy has enabled us to protect our regions from terrorism and chaos. The isolation imposed on him does not target him alone, but rather the peace project demanded by millions of people in the region."

This was followed by a speech on behalf of the residents of Zerkan, delivered by Saleh Semmo, the co-chair of the Democratic Union Party in Zerkan. He pointed out that the ideas of leader Abdullah Ocalan formed the philosophical and political basis for the democratic nation project, which has enabled the peoples of North and East Syria to build a democratic model based on co-existence, women's freedom, and social justice. He emphasized that the continued isolation of Ocalan represents a direct attack on this project and its humanitarian values.

The march concluded with chants affirming the continuation of the popular struggle until the physical freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan is achieved.

Ed-Dirbasiyah

In the city of ed-Dirbasiyah, hundreds of residents, along with members of civil society organizations, councils, Internal Security Forces, and youth and women's movements, marched from Free Women's Square towards Gardenia Roundabout.

Participants carried pictures of leader Abdullah Ocalan and chanted slogans such as "Long Live Leader Abdullah Ocalan" and "No Life Without the Leader."

Upon reaching Gardenia Roundabout, the march transformed into a rally. Raghda Shehadeh, the member of the Kongra Star in ed-Dirbasiya, delivered a speech in which she stated that the case of leader Abdullah Ocalan, with its legal, political, and humanitarian dimensions, has become a symbol that transcends a long struggle for dialogue, recognition, and the search for just and sound solutions.

She added, "Today, we raise our voices and say, the time has come for the physical freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan. His freedom is non-negotiable, and true justice is not achieved through restrictions, but through dialogue and mutual recognition."

For his part, Saud Derbas, the member of the Democratic Union Party in the city of ed-Dirbasiyah, pointed out that the right to hope is enshrined in international law and is a right of every prisoner. However, the Turkish state denies this right to leader Abdullah Ocalan, despite 26 years having passed since his abduction and imprisonment on the isolated island of Imrali.

He added, "Imrali represents a fortress of resilience and peace, a wellspring of free democratic thought, and a starting point for peace, a democratic society, and free, participatory co-existence."

The event concluded with the participants chanting slogans affirming their connection to leader Abdullah Ocalan, his thought, and his philosophy, and saluting his resistance in Imrali.

J.J