ROJAVA – The family of German international fighter Andok Cotkar (Konstantin), killed by the Turkish state in the invasion attacks launched against Serêkaniyê and Girê Spi in October 2019, visited the Rojava Revolution Field. Traveling to almost all cities of Northern and Eastern Syria, the family traveled around the places where their son Constantine struggled step by step with a feeling of great joy. While the family, which the people of the region showed intensely, visited many martyrs’ families, culture and art groups organized an event for the family in Pargin in the Koçerat region of Dêrîk city.
The family, who also participated in the Newroz celebrations in Kobanê on March 21, 2023, stated that the struggle carried out here is a cause of humanity and their children, Martyr Andok, proved this. Throughout their visit, the family raised the fight against the murderous policies of the Turkish state in every street and everywhere they went, and gave the message of accountability.
JOIN THE YPG AGAINST ISIS
The full text of one of the messages the family gave during their visit to Rojava is as follows:
“Hello Friends, people of Rojava and Kurdistan;
It is a great honor to speak before you on the day of remembrance of the internationalist martyrs. We named our child Konstantin. This Latin name means ‘continuation’. We never thought how long our child would live the meaning of this name. On September 1, 2016, on World Peace Day, our child Konstantin goes to Rojava. When he is still on the plane, he writes to us: “I will try to help those who could not escape because they were the target of bullets at the Turkish border, who decided to stay and who escaped, to return to their places.”
Konstantin joined the People’s Defense Units (YPG) to fight against ISIS. Constantine became Heval Andok Cotkar. Konstantin had not prepared his family to go to fight against ISIS, his decision was a shock to us. Andok Cotkar initially worked as a medic on a battlefield. Martyr Akad Ashur, Paul Doc Hetfield were his teachers. Unfortunately, Paul passed away in his country a few weeks ago due to illness. Andok fought with his battalion in many cities such as Manbij, Tabqa and Raqqa. He was wounded many times, and once he barely escaped martyrdom. Our child stood stronger against the enemies of Rojava after his friends were martyred. We commemorate the international martyrs, especially Michael Israel (Robin Agirî), Ryan Lock (Berxwedan Givara), Nazzareno Tassone (Agir Ararat), Anton Leschek (Zana Ciwan) and Jack Holmes (Shoreş Amanos). We were also very sad and cried for every friend Andok Cotkar lost. We saw many pictures of Andok and his friends. As if we knew them ourselves…
‘THANKS TO HIM WE KNOW ROJAVA’
We got to know Rojava thanks to our child. We understood how the people lived here and how they suffered under the occupation of ISIS, the gangs and the persecution of Turkey. We learned how they lived willingly despite all kinds of threats and unknowns. We understood that Andok Cotkar went to honor us, such as giving medical support to those who are exposed to attacks, oppression and injustice, instead of standing idly by. Andok joined the resistance with his friends after Turkey attacked Rojava again in October 2019. On October 19, 2019, we received the worst news in our lives, our son was martyred. Türkiye had killed him and his friends with a bomb while they were wounded. We miss the right Constantine, we live with longing, but we are supported and motivated by the valuable defense of the people of Rojava. We understand and respect their resistance.
MANY FURNACES HAVE BEEN DENIED, THEIR PERSONS WILL BE TRIED
He doesn’t have a mausoleum because the Turkish state kept his body. The family of Hêlin Qereçox, who was martyred by the Turkish state in Afrin in 2018, is in the same situation. We know that many families of martyrs could not bury their children. Türkiye is collecting the bodies of fallen fighters. Turkey should know that, as the mothers and fathers of these children, we will struggle to build their shrines as long as we live. As the heirs of Andok, we will fight in Germany to create a peaceful, equal, independent and secure life. We undertake the task of prosecuting those responsible for the murder of Constantine and many (his friends).
Thanks Constantine for being with us. You were a special person, a good friend. You will always be with us. Thank you, people of Rojava, for accepting Andok within you and making him very happy.”
