Tabqa holds festivities to celebrate defeat of ISIS

Hundreds of residents of Tabqa gathered at the Union Sports Stadium in the city center to celebrate the 8th anniversary of the liberation of the Canton from ISIS mercenaries, under the slogan: “By implementing the social contract, the principles of the democratic nation are strengthened and achievements preserved.”

Participating in the celebration are Hussein Othman, the Co-President of the Executive Council of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, deputy Co-presidents, delegations from other regional districts, commanders of the Tabqa Military Council, leaders from the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), and Internal Security Forces.

Also in attendance are members of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Tabqa, affiliated institutions, political parties, democratic community organizations, youth and women's organizations.

The celebration began with a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs. Then, Samar Shahabi, the Co-President of the Executive Council of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Tabqa, delivered a speech in which she affirmed:

"The memory of liberation is engraved in the hearts of the Canton’s people and all those who seek freedom and dignity. It marked the end of a chapter of oppression and extremism and the dawn of hope. For the past eight years, the sacrifices of the martyrs remain alive in our consciousness, reminding us that freedom is not granted but seized, and that the will of the people is stronger than any forces of darkness."

On this occasion, Samar commemorated the righteous martyrs and pledged to continue on their path and work toward a bright future for Tabqa and all of North and East Syria — a future where human dignity is preserved and institutions are built on justice, equality, and peace.

The celebration program includes speeches by the Council of Martyrs’ Families in Tabqa and the Syrian Democratic Forces, followed by a cultural performance featuring musical acts and traditional dances by the Dora al-Furat and Jiay Kurmanch groups, along with singers Malak al-Yateem and Firas Owaid.

On November 5, 2016, the Syrian Democratic Forces and Women’s Protection Units, with support from the international coalition against ISIS, launched the “Wrath of the Euphrates” campaign to liberate Raqqa and Tabqa. On March 20, 2017, they successfully besieged ISIS forces inside the city of Tabqa. Fierce battles continued for 50 days, culminating in the announcement of the city’s liberation on May 10, 2017.

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ANHA