YRD: Journalist Aziz Koyluoğlu martyred in Turkish occupation airstrike

In a statement issued by the General Coordination of the Democratic Media Union, the organization confirmed the martyrdom of journalist Aziz Koyluoğlu in an attack carried out by the Turkish occupying state in South Kurdistan.

The statement read:

"On January 27, our dear comrade Aziz Koyluoğlu was martyred in an attack by the Turkish state in Ranya. First and foremost, we extend our condolences to his honorable family, all media professionals, and our people. We renew our promise to strengthen the struggle he left behind and to crown it with victory.

There is no doubt that comrade Aziz was targeted and martyred because he exposed the murderous, colonial, and occupying face of the Turkish state. He was a dedicated journalist and a freedom fighter filled with love for his homeland. Those who were disturbed by his pen and words launched a cowardly attack on him, attempting to silence the voice of truth. However, it must be known that Aziz, like those before him, joined this cause by making great sacrifices and was a hero for the cause of freedom at every moment. He has passed the torch to us in the strongest way possible. Comrade Aziz’s unwavering stance against the enemy is the stance and behavior of every young comrade today. These attacks did not make Aziz retreat, nor will they make us retreat. On the contrary, they will strengthen our resolve to continue the struggle.

Comrade Aziz loved his people

Our comrade Aziz was born in 1976 in Amed, a symbol of our people’s will for freedom. He grew up in a family with strong national values and, at an early age, recognized the reality of the fascist colonial enemy. He resisted and fought against it in every sense of the word.

Since the early 2000s, our comrade took his place in the ranks of free journalism, engaging in nearly every aspect of the field, from correspondent and photographer to editor, news director, and editor-in-chief. He maintained an exemplary stance in all these roles, making collaboration and training his comrades the philosophy of his life.

He always guided his comrades with his seriousness in life and his ever-smiling face. Aziz consistently took the lead in every task, loved his people, and fought to preserve the culture of our ancient people. We believe that those trained by Aziz will respond appropriately to this enemy, which lacks all ethics and values, and will secure our free future.

Aziz was active throughout South Kurdistan, from Hawler to Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk, and from there to Makhmour. He participated in media activities at all levels in Rojava Kurdistan, from Dêrik to Afrin. Our comrade did not only write; he also spoke out whenever he could, using every opportunity to expose the colonial and oppressive enemy to the fullest extent. Engaged in journalism, television, news agencies, and more recently, digital media, he always emphasized the importance of media activities and their crucial role in the struggle against the enemy.

Certainly, comrade Aziz’s pen will not remain on the ground. We will continue to amplify his voice and words. The values of struggle that Aziz left behind will be expanded by every worker in free journalism and will serve as the foundation for our people's free future. In other words, a free life will become more meaningful and firmly rooted.

He proved the strength of the free P

Press tradition

The tradition of free journalism, rooted in the legacy of Mazlum, Gurbetelli, and Uncle Musa, and carried forward with determination by Saeed, Karwan, Rosida, Gulistan, Hero, Nazim, and Jîhan, has been further strengthened by the martyrdom of our comrade Aziz. His sacrifice has once again proven that this tradition is indestructible.

No matter what the fascist enemy does, and no matter what inhumane methods it employs, it will not succeed in its goals nor be able to conceal the truth. The free press, just as Aziz did yesterday, will learn from Aziz and the martyrs who built this tradition and will work even harder to crown this tradition with victory.

On this occasion, we renew our condolences to the honorable family of comrade Aziz, to all members of the Democratic Media Union, and to our people. We reaffirm our commitment to intensifying the struggle."

A-H

ANHA