NEWS CENTER – People’s Defense Units (YPG) General Command made a statement on the 11th anniversary of Martyr Xebat Dêrik’s martyrdom.
The statement said, “January 14 is the 11th anniversary of the martyrdom of Martyr Xebat Dêrik, the founder of the YPG and the self-defense culture and defense system in Northern and Eastern Syria. First of all, we commemorate Martyr Xebat and his heroic comrades, and we renew our promise to realize the goals for which they achieved martyrdom.
‘THE LOST IDENTITY HAS BEEN’
The statement also noted:
“Since his childhood, Comrade Xebat Dêrik represented the best example of the insurgent Kurds with all his colors. He lived in a working family, and at the same time, his resistance character developed under the conditions of injustice and oppression, like every Kurdish youth who grew up under the colony. He regained his lost identity, and opened the way for truth and freedom when he reached out to the revolutionary hands that took up the cause of his country and the oppressed peoples. This was the beginning of his promise to become one of the revolutionaries of his country.
With the onset of the crisis in Syria and the situation reaching an unknown stage, Martyr Xebat made great efforts and work to strengthen the bridges of trust between the families of the martyrs and the Kurds, Arabs and Assyrians in the region. Here, he made his first meetings with the families of the martyrs and shared his social and political organization plans with them. With the deterioration of the situation in Syria and the conflicting parties’ preference for militarism, Martyr Xebat started to organize the youth and carried out many training activities with them, which formed the basis of the organization of the defense system in Rojava.
Martyr Xebat and his friends formed the first military groups as the armed groups moved towards the Turkish state and became their gangs. He made great efforts to organize and train these groups. In this respect, the groups founded by Martyr Xebat were an example of the self-organization of the masses who were confident in their own strength. These fighters, who started their first clashes against the gangs in Aleppo, Serêkanîyê and Afrin, managed to achieve great success despite limited opportunities. In addition, due to the fact that these fighters adhere to the revolutionary line based on the spirit of self-sacrifice and protecting the people of the region, their continuity and strong solidarity with their targets have increased even more.
‘LOITH, SACRIFICE AND SUCCESS…’
After several years of YPG’s unique fight against terrorist organizations and the criminal ideology that the invading states are trying to impose on the people of Northern and Eastern Syria, the role of the troops in protecting the local population has increased.
At the same time, many people and tribes living in the Hol, Shedade, Girê Spî and Shehba regions called on the YPG to free themselves from the gangs. On this basis, YPG started to liberate those regions from dark thoughts and became the symbol of brotherhood between regions.
These great sacrifices among the warriors are based on Xebat Derik, who became a martyr as a result of a betrayal plot on January 14, 2012. The memories he planted in the hearts of his warriors with loyalty, sacrifice and faith in success have always remained alive. Therefore, the sacrifices of the YPG have inspired all the youth of the region who are waging a unique resistance and war against gangs and terrorists. At the same time, this sacrifice has been a strong foundation for the establishment of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the completion of the construction of military institutions that are respected in the world with their sacrifices and achievements.
Martyr Xebat Dêrik’s spirit became a decision to consolidate the road to victory and unite the people against oppression and occupation, while for the fighters it turned into an indomitable struggle to protect the people of the region. This system of self-sacrifice and defense built by Martyr Xebat has been a place of success for the people of the region and especially for the youth who still draw faith and strength from the legacy of his historical resistance. At the same time, this sacrifice and resistance was the reason why they continued their armed struggle against all occupation forces.
January 14 was the day of adherence to measures, self-confidence, indomitable struggle, and belief in success against all kinds of moves aimed at destroying hope and freedom. The sacrifice of Martyr Xebat and his comrades saved the lives of millions of people. Their measures, sacrifices and ideas that distinguish them from other armed forces were immortalized by the participation of thousands of young people in the ranks of the revolution. They also established a moral system based on unity that created dozens of high values for the people and revolutionaries of the region.
In this context, we respectfully commemorate Martyr Xebat and his active command. We reiterate his promise to continue the march he started until all goals, especially the freedom of the occupied lands, are achieved.
Martyr Xebat’s spirit has not left us alone, it still lives on in new generations, and the spirit of struggle ignites within us to complete the march of military struggle against all obstacles.”
