In Wan, a march organized under the leadership of the Democratic Institutions Platform protested the attacks carried out by Hayat Tahrir el Sham (HTS)-backed groups against Aleppo and North and East Syria. Gathering at Kurtuluş Park, thousands marched behind a banner reading, “Defending Rojava means defending humanity; Rojava is our red line, we will not allow occupation.”

Throughout the march, slogans such as “Bijî berxwedana Rojava,” “Kurdistan will be the grave of fascism,” and “Bijî berxwedana QSD’ê (Long live resistance of SDF)” were frequently chanted. Many residents also showed support by coming out to their windows along the route.

 

Despite heavy snowfall, the crowd marched approximately three kilometres before reaching Beşyol Square. Following the march, a speech was delivered by Democratic Unity Initiative Co-Spokesperson and Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Wan MP Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit.

 

REACTION TO INTERNATIONAL POWERS 

 

Emphasizing that Kurds everywhere must defend the gains of Rojava, Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit stated that the resistance in Rojava has demonstrated that peoples and beliefs can coexist, while HTS embraces a mentality of “one religion, one nation, one flag.” She underlined that the attacks on Şêxmaqsûd (Sheikh Maqsoud) and Eşrefiyê (Ashrafieh) constitute an assault on all peoples.

 

“The Turkish state supports this mentality; the nation-state mindset backs these gangs. Wherever we Kurds are—whether in Rojhilat, Bakur, Başûr, or Rojava—we will not allow the DAESH mentality and its supporters to erase the existence of the Kurdish people. Today is a day of unity for the Kurdish people. Wherever there is a patriotic, honourable Kurd, they must rise up to defend our gains,” she said.

 

Stating that the peoples will once again embrace the resistance with the spirit of Kobanê, Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit continued: “Today we will strengthen not only our words and actions, but also our diplomatic relations. We call on international powers: protect the peoples, not DAESH; support the peoples. We also call on the Kurdish people: strengthen your unity and rise up to defend your gains.”

 

‘WE ARE KURDS, WE ARE FROM KURDISTAN’

 

She concluded: “Any attack on Kurds, Kurdish rights, the Kurdish language, and Kurdish identity will be a source of resistance for us. With the spirit of Kobanê, we will take to the streets everywhere and stand up for our people. We are Kurds, we are from Kurdistan. We will always stand by our brothers and sisters.”

 

The statement ended with slogans.