Press Release
On the 41st anniversary of the Glorious August 15 Initiative—which tore apart the decree of death against the Kurds, initiated the struggle for existence and freedom, and ensured the resurrection of the Kurdish people—and on the occasion of the National Resurrection Day, we extend our congratulations to Leader Apo, to the precious families of our martyrs, to our patriotic Kurdish people, to our friends around the world who support our struggle, and to all our comrades.
The Glorious August 15 Initiative took place at a time when the Kurdish language, identity, and very existence were denied, when all values were fully exposed to exploitation, and when Kurdistan as a whole was under occupation and condemned to total darkness. The historic stance of Leader Apo, the founding of the PKK, the spark of resistance ignited by Comrade Mazlum Doğan with three matches, and the flames carried forward by the Four and the July 14 Resisters laid the foundation for the August 15, 1984 Initiative. With the “First Bullet” fired under the leadership of Commander Egîd to break the intensified colonialism imposed on the Kurdish people, our struggle for existence and freedom began, becoming a historic turning point for the Kurds and Kurdistan. At a time when many could not even imagine firing a single bullet at occupation, colonialism, and the fascist coup of September 12, initiating such an act of heroism and launching the guerrilla struggle brought about a total resurrection and uprising for the Kurdish people. With the Apoist will, our people recreated themselves from their ashes, broke the chains of slavery with their rightful and legitimate struggle, overcame backwardness, and became the rightful owners of an uninterrupted march of heroism.
The August 15 Initiative, in addition to its highly successful and result-oriented military character, achieved a national and social resurrection for the Kurdish people, instilling belief in and hope for freedom. Based on this faith and hope, the historic struggle, which has now left behind 41 years and entered its 42nd, has paved the way for social, intellectual, cultural, and the free women’s revolution in Kurdistan. The Resurrection Revolution has initiated a transformative process in every place where Kurds live—socially, intellectually, and democratically. The free Kurdish woman, who rose up with the Resurrection Revolution, has today become a pioneer of free life, inspiring, admired, and followed with interest by women all over the world. These developments, which Leader Apo described as a “revolution within a revolution,” have created a brand-new Kurdish identity embraced with pride by all, a free Kurdish individual, and the indomitable spirit, consciousness, and noble values of the Kurds. If today we can speak of Kurd, Kurdishness, Kurdistan, and Kurdistani values and their greatness, without doubt the August 15 Initiative and the armed struggle developed by the guerrilla at the cost of thousands of martyrs have played a decisive role. We respectfully commemorate our revered martyrs, who gave meaning to our past, created our present, and laid the foundations for our free future, in the person of Commander Egîd.
All of these historic developments have been made possible by the great efforts of thousands of our martyrs, who selflessly gave their lives. For this reason, the Glorious August 15 Initiative is the name of loyalty to the martyrs’ path and of a sacrificial march on this path. A significant link in this chain of martyrdom is Comrade Koçero Urfa, a PKK Central Committee member and Commander of the Apollo Academies, who epitomized the line of self-sacrifice, dedicating every moment of his life to the free future of our people, and who was martyred in an airstrike carried out by the occupying Turkish state on November 4, 2019.
Our brave son of the Kurdish people, professional revolutionary, follower of Commander Egîd, pioneer of the Rojava Revolution and of the peoples of North and East Syria, Comrade Nûreddîn Sofî, was martyred on April 6, 2021, during an enemy attack, as he visited our People’s Defense Headquarters to reunite with old friends after spending 24 years in the mountains of Kurdistan.
We remember comrades Koçero Urfa and Nûreddîn Sofî with respect, love, endless longing, and the deepest feelings of comradeship. We bow respectfully before the memory of Leader Apo’s most loyal comrades, Commander Egîd’s brave fighters, the ascetic leaders of our struggle filled with the Spirit of August 15, and we renew our pledge of loyalty.
In the Apoist Movement, “the reality of martyrs and martyrdom” is not one of lamentation and mourning. From Leader Apo’s meaningful response to the martyrdom of our first party martyr, Comrade Haki Karer, to the thousands of martyrdom links that followed, the true meaning of martyrdom has been to make martyrs immortal by enlarging the struggle. All our comrades and patriotic people who draw inspiration from Comrades Koçero Urfa and Nûreddîn Sofî, who carry them in their hearts, who knew them and were wholeheartedly connected to them, must honor their martyrdom in a manner worthy of them. With the Spirit of August 15—with courage, enthusiasm, morale, and the determination always to live and keep alive the martyrs—they must commemorate them.
As the Kurdistan Freedom Guerrillas, comrades of Koçero Urfa and Nûreddîn Sofî, we pledge to uphold a struggle and style worthy of the martyrs, to always keep their memory alive, and to continue, without hesitation, the march of becoming like Egîd on the path of martyrdom in this 42nd year of struggle.
We once again celebrate the August 15 Resurrection Day, the name of hope, faith, and victory, based on loyalty to our martyrs. We wish great success in the struggle to all our comrades whose hearts beat with Leader Apo, to our patriotic people, and to the friends of our people who walk uncompromisingly on the Apoist path.
Bijî Rihê 15'ê Tebaxê!
Bijî Sekna Egîdên Fedaî!
Bijî Fermandar Koçero Urfa û Nûreddîn Sofî!
Bijî Gerîlayên Azadiya Kurdistan!
Bijî Serok Apo!
11 August 2025
HPG Press Center