Residents of NE Syria reaffirm commitment to peace, democratic solution

Across various cities of North and East Syria and Aleppo, events were held on September 1 to mark the International Day of Peace, where participants reiterated their adherence to peace and the democratic solution.

Hasakah

Hundreds of residents of Hasakah, along with members of civil institutions and political parties, took part in a demonstration demanding the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Ocalan under the slogan: “The physical freedom of Leader Apo is the guarantee of world peace.”

The march began at the Marsho roundabout and proceeded along the main street to Freedom Square, with participants carrying Leader Ocalan’s pictures and banners reading “We want to meet Leader Apo,” while chanting slogans calling for his release.

Upon reaching Freedom Square, the demonstration turned into a mass gathering, which began with a minute of silence followed by the reading of Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s message for the International Day of Peace, delivered by Abdul Ghani Oso, a member of the General Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD).

During the gathering, Farouq Tozo, co-chair of Hasakah City Council, affirmed the right of residents to meet with Leader Abdullah Ocalan, stressing that peaceful solutions in the Middle East depend on his pivotal role. 

He added: “Leader Abdullah Ocalan has a central role in the peace process, yet he remains under isolation and deprived of the necessary meetings to continue this process. We, the people of Hasakah, demand his physical freedom and the right to meet him in order to achieve peace.”

The demonstration concluded with chants demanding Leader Ocalan’s freedom.

Tal Brak

In the city of Tal Brak in Jazira Canton, Kongra Star organized a solidarity vigil in support of Leader Ocalan’s message, which highlighted peace and the democratic solution as a strategic choice for peoples. The vigil, held in front of the Education Complex west of the city, was attended by hundreds of residents, members of civil institutions, political parties, and Kongra Star activists.

The vigil began with a minute of silence, followed by the reading of Leader Ocalan’s message by Azra Al-Hussein, a member of Kongra Star.

The event ended with slogans affirming commitment to the struggle for freedom and peace: “No life without the Leader.”

Shaddadi

The Shaddadi City Council, south of Jazira Canton, organized a mass demonstration demanding Leader Ocalan’s physical freedom, with participation from residents of Shaddadi, Markada, and Al-Arisha.

The demonstration began at the Education Complex in Al-Arisha and proceeded along the main street to the City Council building, where it turned into a mass gathering. Walaa Al-Ali, a Kongra Star member from Markada, stated: “We gather today on behalf of all the women of the southern region, and on behalf of every woman, for freedom and dignity. We raise our voices for a just cause that cannot be abandoned; the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Ocalan.”

She added: “We demand an end to Leader Ocalan’s isolation. We, the women who long for freedom, will continue our struggle until we achieve our goal.”

Mahmoud Al-Ajour, an official of the PYD in Al-Arisha, also delivered a speech, saying: “The freedom of the Leader means the freedom of peoples. It means a future built on democracy, freedom, justice, and peace. Every day of his isolation deprives humanity of his ideas and his project for a free life. The voice of the people cannot be silenced because the will of the people is stronger than all restrictions and walls.”

He then read Leader Ocalan’s message, which called for peace and coexistence among all peoples and communities.

The demonstration ended with chants of “No life without the Leader.”

Kobani

In Kobani, the PYD in Euphrates Canton issued a statement attended by party members, representatives of political parties, and officials from the Autonomous Administration.

The statement stressed that peace is not a distant dream but a right and a duty, and that the sacrifices of martyrs were made for a future of freedom, justice, and equality. It affirmed that the party’s faith in peace comes from Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s philosophy that peace stems from the will of the peoples.

It underlined that the party’s path is dialogue and negotiation with Damascus for a fair political solution, rejecting any exclusionary approaches. The statement also called on the international community to support peace efforts, protect civilians, and ensure the dignified return of displaced persons.

Çil Agha

In Çil Agha, residents of Çil Agha, Girkê Legê, and Tal Koçer took part in a mass march that began at Dalal Roundabout and proceeded through the main streets, carrying pictures of Leader Ocalan and banners reading: “Leader Apo is our will,” “Freedom and peace shine from Imrali,” and “Freedom and justice for Leader Apo.” Participants chanted: “No life without the Leader.”

The march concluded at Martyr Masoum Square, where the gathering began with a minute of silence, followed by Leader Ocalan’s message read first in Kurdish by Younis Haji, a member of the School Administration Committee in Çil Agha, and then in Arabic by Manal Ali, co-chair of the PYD office in Çil Agha.

Mohammad Abdul Rahim, PYD co-chair in Jazira Canton, condemned the isolation and mistreatment of Leader Ocalan, describing him as the true voice of peace and the democratic solution in the Middle East and the world. He said: “Our peace cannot be achieved without the freedom of our Leader. Targeting him is targeting the will of peoples who long for freedom and democracy.”

Fatima Saleh, a Kongra Star member from Tal Koçer, also spoke, stating that any discussion of peace and justice is incomplete without Leader Ocalan’s freedom. She added: “ Leader Apo is imprisoned solely for calling for peace and democracy. Without his freedom, the world cannot achieve peace.”

Raqqa

The Zenobia Women’s Gathering Council in Raqqa issued a statement, read by its coordinator Jihan Mohammad in the presence of members of civil and military institutions.

The statement noted that “the Syrian people in general, and women in particular, have paid a heavy price as a result of wars, conflicts, and policies of tyranny and domination. The democratic experience of North and East Syria has made women essential partners in decision-making and a guarantee of peaceful coexistence among all components.”

It called on the United Nations, the European Union, and international human rights and women’s organizations to pressure for an end to Leader Ocalan’s isolation and to ensure his physical freedom, while recognizing that women’s participation in building peace is a cornerstone for any safe and just future.

The statement concluded by stressing that peace begins with recognizing peoples’ right to self-determination and women’s right to active participation in decision-making. It called for transforming the International Day of Peace into a new opportunity to open the door to Syrian national dialogue, break down walls of isolation, and lay the foundations for a more humane, stable, and prosperous Syria.

The statement was followed by the reading of Leader Ocalan’s message by Asia Al-Ali, an administrator of the Zenobia Women’s Gathering Council. In his message, Leader Ocalan said: “True peace is not limited to silencing guns, but is built on freedom, democracy, and social justice. Peoples must embrace this duty and embed it into their daily lives. The call for peace and a democratic solution is not an ordinary political step, but a strategic one and a historical milestone that will open the doors to a new era where wars and destruction are replaced by democratic and peaceful life in Turkey and across the Middle East.”

He emphasized that “this social transformation is not only a right for our peoples but also a duty of the new era, affirming that the values of peace, democracy, and freedom will be rooted in the struggles of the people and rewarded in social life. This country will be a home for those who consider peace and democratic life both their right and their duty. On the occasion of September 1, I urge our people to uphold this historic duty and to expand the march of peace and freedom.”

Aleppo

The General Council of the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh in Aleppo issued a statement, read in both Arabic by council member Shirin Mohammad and Kurdish by Manan Jaafar, co-chair of the Yazidi House in Aleppo.

The statement affirmed that achieving peace and a democratic solution requires democratic negotiation as the fundamental method, as articulated by Leader Ocalan in his call for peace and a democratic society.

It called for working with a spirit of vitality and revolution, fostering a culture of acceptance of the other, defending natural and societal human values, and rejecting violence as the strongest weapon humanity possesses for freedom and peace.

The Council pledged to spare no effort in ensuring safety and peace for the components of the two neighborhoods and across Syria. It affirmed its commitment to continue working for peace, citing the April 1 agreement signed with the committee formed under the March 10 agreement as a practical step toward preparing the ground for peace in Syria, securing the return of displaced people, lifting the siege on residents, and strengthening the cultural and ethical values of Syrian communities living together.

The statement concluded by stressing that peace can only be revived through joint efforts and confronting the forces of evil by all the free peoples of the world, since what is needed is sustainable peace, not wars that destroy both nature and society.

The gathering ended with chants of “Long live the International Day of Peace,” “No to wars and killing,” and “Yes to the brotherhood of peoples and coexistence.”

A-H

ANHA