ŞIRNEX - Those who witnessed the '92 Newroz in Şirnex, where many people were massacred, emphasized that they did not give up celebrating despite all the prohibitions and obstacles, and said: "Newroz is language, identity, culture for us."

 

One of the centers of the Newroz celebrations, which will be held this year with the motto, "Rabe dema azadî û serkeftinê (Get up, time is for freedom and success)", is Şirnex center and its districts. Şirnex is a city identified with Newroz. The reason for this is the massacres and resistances that took place in Newroz areas in the 1990s. Despite all kinds of bans, the fire of Newroz has never gone out in Şirnex and its districts. Especially the Newroz of 1992 maintains its place in memories. Panzers were launched against thousands of people who came out to the streets to celebrate on March 21, 1992 in the center of Şirnex and its Cizîr (Cizre) district. As a result of the fire opened by special operation police, Cizîr' At least 57 people were murdered in Şirnex and at least 47 people were murdered in Şirnex.

 

WHAT HAPPENED ON NEWROZ DAY

 

Mahmut Külter (57), one of the citizens who attended the celebrations held in Şirnex center, told about what happened at that time. Stating that they made all the preparations a few days before Newroz, Külter said: "We were going to celebrate Newroz in the city center with the participation of people from Avgamasya, Milga Şantiyê, Nerex, Heştan, Biryan, Dehlabî villages. We started our celebration on Newroz day in the park, which we call the statue. Then we walked into the city. However, our friends coming from Omer Kabak Square were blocked. So we walked there. When we started walking there, a group of soldiers fired at the crowd. First, everyone dispersed. Then we gathered together and started walking again. When we arrived at the square, they attacked us again. The person climbed onto the roof of the house and fired a gun directly at the crowd. Some of our friends were martyred and some were injured."

 

Külter pointed out that soldiers started shooting at people again towards the evening and said: "At that time, a neighbor of mine was also injured. I tried to put him in the vehicle and take him to the hospital. Our vehicle was scanned with weapons. Then someone who knew us got out of the panzer. He asked us to take the injured person away. So we took our injured person first. We went to Mêrdîn, then we took him to Amed. After that, I didn't hear from here."

 

'WE WILL WIN IN THE END'

 

Emphasizing that the Kurds did not step back against the attacks, Külter said: "If the Kurds did not step back during the atrocities that took place in '92, they will never step back again. Dozens of our people were murdered in torture houses in the 90s. They brought everything to this people, but our people did not step back. Today, they are attacking, but the Kurds will win eventually. This struggle is a struggle that requires great prices. We have paid a high price, we will pay even more, but we will win in the end."

 

'WE NEVER TAKEN A STEP BACK'

 

Ahmet Gökalp (57), who came to the center from Nerex village for the 1992 Newroz celebrations, said: "The weather was cold, there was snow, but we wore our local clothes and came to the center for the celebrations. Some of us came in vehicles, some on foot. We started the celebrations with drums and pipes. When we came to the center, the soldiers blocked us and the other crowd blocked us. They did not allow us to go. People flocked to the center from all over. The soldiers attacked. Some of us were killed, some of us were injured. But no one retreated."

 

Emphasizing that they continue to celebrate Newroz every semester Gökalp said: "We have never stepped back since those days. No power will prevent the Kurds from celebrating Newroz. Newroz is a great holiday and enthusiasm for us. When Newroz comes, we are filled with great excitement. The Kurds will win with Newroz."

 

'NEWROZ IS LANGUAGE, IDENTITY'

 

Şahin Barkın (75), one of the witnesses of the period, recalled the announcements made at that time. Barkın said: "Newroz was celebrated, people were massacred. In the afternoon, the state made an announcement. It was called that everyone should open their doors and go to the governor's office. When we went there, they took the kefis (pushi) from our heads and burned them. They gathered all the people of Şirnex there. They directed all the panzers towards the people. They went house to house and searched." 

 

Barkın said: “People from all villages flocked to the city center. A big celebration was held. Newroz is a very important day for us. It is a holiday, it is our rebellion. Every year, before Newroz, we prepare our clothes with excitement. Kurds will never give up Newroz. When I go to the village, even if I am alone, I light my fire at night and celebrate Newroz. Before, for Newroz, I would walk for hours and come from the villages to the Newroz area. The Kurds’ embrace of Newroz is their embrace of themselves. Newroz is language, identity and culture for us."