On the 34th anniversary of 15 August Initiative we are being through a process, where intense and fierce clashes are taking place in the Zagros mountain range. At a time when the Turkish state has been repelled in Zap, we set out for Avashin and came across a unit of guerrillas.

On such a day of heavy air strikes, guerrilla units that have come together were celebrating the 15 August. The guerrillas first held an official ceremony, then began commemorating the 15 August. Today was a different day than usual, the excitement and enthusiasm the guerrillas felt was speaking volumes.

"THE RESISTANCE PUT UP IN AMED PRISON IS REVERBERATING ON THE MOUNTAINS"

To obtain a deeper understanding of this, guerrilla Kemal Botan, who greeted me enthusiastically and heartily as I focused my camera on him, said the following:

"We have entered the 34th anniversary of the 15th August. Back then the Turkish state was carrying out an ideological war in Kurdistan, especially in the dungeons of Amed. They aimed at finishing off the Kurdish identity in those prisons.

Under the lead of the comrades Hayri Durmuş, Mazlum Doğan and Kemal Pir a great historical resistance was mounted. This resistance, which echoed in the dungeons of in Amed, found its way to the mountains of Kurdistan with the 15 August Initiative. The 15th August provided the Kurdish people and our freedom movement with an opportunity that allowed life to flourish anew and proved to the entire world that the Kurdish people have not been and cannot be effaced.

The Turkish state thought that: "They are just a handful marauders, we will wipe them out within 24 hours". However, you can see that this historic resistance has been continuing for 34 years now. This resistance, which started with a bullet, has reached out today to millions on the mountains of Kurdistan.

This heritage, that has been inherited to us under the command of comrade Egîd, has shown us that real guerrilla struggle means being faithful to principles, ideology and philosophy of Leader Apo. In the event that these principles are followed with commitment, unimaginable steps can be taken. Today, thousands of guerrillas are following in the footsteps of comrade Egîd whose path proved that no army, that of the Turkish state in the first place, can stand against the guerrilla force. We will definitely prevail."

As we talk to Kemal Botan, the celebrations continue with upmost enthusiasm, poems read by the guerrillas, singing and dancing.

Guerrilla Agir Arnos, who broke away from the festivity and approached us, asked us not to turn off our camera as he also had a few words to say: "August the 15th is a very important day for us. Every militant of this movement desires to raise the struggle like comrade Egîd did, and to live up to the values he created. As long as this desire, passion and dedication exists, the enemy is condemned to face defeat in the mountains of Kurdistan. The enemy is at a dead-end against the guerrilla".

Arnos went back to join the festivity and tucked his arms into the round group of the dancing guerrillas, continuing to celebrate where he had stopped.

"DARK DAYS WERE EXPECTED TO DEVOUR THE KURDS AND KURDISTAN"

The merriment and enthusiasm of the guerrillas took also hold of me and I joined the halay dancing. On my right side was a guerrilla with the name Cahit Ferzad. I could not help but to talk to the guerrillas even during the mirthful halay dance. As guerrilla Ferzad realized my efforts, he beckoned me to a sparkling fountain to have a talk. The water was ice cold. While I was washing my sweaty face, he scooped the water with his palm and gulped it down.

After a while, he turned to me and started to talk as I said to myself that I was kind of reborn with every gulp I took.

Then he began to chat with me: "The Kurds and all peoples of the Middle East were reborn on the 15th August. In the history of the Kurds and Kurdistan, the enemy never gave the Kurds anything other than massacres basing on policies of annihilation and denial. Following the Ağrı resistance, a graveyard was built and it was dubbed the grave of Kurdistan, in which -they said- the 'dream of a Kurdistan' was buried. They had dark days prepared for Kurdistan and the Kurdish people.

Back then the Kurds had drifted from a mental point of view to betraying each other, denying their existence. The enemy had brought the Kurds to that level. At such a time, the first bullet was shot. And this first bullet was a bullet against that mindset imposed on the Kurds. The first bullet is the very foundation of this 34 years long resistance. And this bullet has become the hope of all peoples of the Middle East as well."

"THE STRUGGLE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL OUR FREEDOM"

Another guerrilla who was coming towards our direction, having obviously danced more than he could take, was in need of some refreshment. The guerrilla, who headed to the fountain for the cold water, was Dilgeş Serhed. Answering my question, Serhed said the following: "August the 15th is the day of resurrection, first and foremost for the guerrillas and the Kurdish people, as well as for all oppressed peoples. August 15 is a revolutionary war against the denial of the Kurds and Kurdistan. Comrade Egîd is still among us and he will always live on. The revolutionary war that started with the first bullet will continue until the Kurdish people and all peoples of Kurdistan are free. "

After this short conversation we joined back the ongoing celebration.